Race 2 Win: Dodge Charger 500

Nextel Cup Series

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Dodge Charger 500 - Race Notes

Darlington Raceway

Track data:
Race #: 10 of 36 (5-7-05)
Track Size: 1.366 Miles
Event: Dodge Charger 500
Number of Laps: 367
Location: Darlington, SC
Length of Event: 501.322 Miles
Length of Front Stretch: 1,229 Feet
Length of Back Stretch: 1,229 Feet
Degree of Banking in Corners: 1-2 = 25°/ 3-4 = 23°
Degree of Banking on Straights: 2°

Qualifying/Race data:
Last year's event pole winner: Kasey Kahne 171.716 mph 3-19-04 28.638 seconds
Last year's event winner: Jimmie Johnson 114.001 mph 3-21-04 3 hrs, 30 min, 39 sec*
Track qualifying record: Ward Burton 173.797 mph 3-22-96 28.295 seconds
(500-mile) Track record: Dale Earnhardt 139.958 mph 3-28-93 3 hrs, 34 min, 55 sec
* - 400-mile race

Historical data:
Previous winners at Darlington:
David Pearson (10) Dale Earnhardt (9) Jeff Gordon (6) Cale Yarborough (5) Bobby Allison (5) Darrell Waltrip (5) Bill Elliott (5) Harry Gant (4) Richard Petty (3) Herb Thomas (3) Buck Baker (3) Dale Jarrett (3) Fireball Roberts (2) Buddy Baker (2) Fred Lorenzen (2) LeeRoy Yarbrough (2) Joe Weatherly (2) Nelson Stacy (2) Jimmie Johnson (2) Jeff Burton (2) Ward Burton (2) Sterling Marlin (2) Terry Labonte (2) Curtis Turner (1) Neil Bonnett (1) Darel Dieringer (1) Fonty Flock (1) Larry Frank (1) Ned Jarrett (1) Junior Johnson (1) Johnny Mantz (1) Mark Martin (1) Benny Parsons (1) Jim Reed (1) Tim Richmond (1) Ricky Rudd (1) Lake Speed (1) Speedy Thompson (1) Bobby Labonte (1) Ricky Craven (1) Dick Rathmann (1)
Races won from the pole: 19 of 101 events (19%)
Races won from in top 10: 88 of 101 events (87%)
Races won from outside top 10: 13 of 101 events (13%)

Track Milestones

Darlington is the site of the first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup (Grand National) race to be held on a paved raceway and the first 500-mile race on September 4, 1950. The track then measured 1.25 miles.

Curtis Turner won the first pole at Darlington Raceway in the 1950 Southern 500.

Johnny Mantz won the first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at Darlington, the 1950 Southern 500.

The spring race at Darlington became a 400-mile event in 1994.

The track configuration was reversed prior to the second race in 1997.

2004 was the final season of twice-a-year racing at Darlington.

The 2005 Dodge Charger 500 will be the first Saturday night race at Darlington.

Track Update
There have been eight different race winners in the last nine races at Darlington. Jimmie Johnson, who swept both races there in 2004, is the only repeat race winner since the 2000 Pepsi Southern 500.

Qualifying Update
There have been eight different Bud Pole winners in the 11 races at Darlington since September 1999. Qualifying was rained out three times in the 11-race period (spring 2001, fall 2002, fall 2004).

Manufacturer Update
Ward Burton's victory in the 2001 Mountain Dew Southern 500 was the first Dodge modern era victory at Darlington and the first victory at Darlington by Dodge since Buddy Baker won in there the Spring of 1971.

The Money
Purse $5,338,043
NASCAR NEXTEL Leader Bonus 70,000
MBNA Mid-Race Leader Bonus $5,000

Tire/Fuel Data

Goodyear Tire Codes: Left-side — D-6822; Right-side — 6824

Other Nextel Cup Tracks With This Same Tire Combination: North Carolina Speedway

Estimated Pit Window: Every 65-70 laps, based on fuel mileage.

Speed Limits: Pace Car - 50 mph, Pit Road - 45 mph

Notebook

The field will consist of 43 cars. The 43rd position is reserved for a past NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion, if needed. If unused, it will go to the next eligible owner.

Two qualifying laps will be used to determine the starting positions with the adjustments made afterwards as required.

There have been 101 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup (Grand National) races at Darlington since the track opened in 1950.

Forty-three drivers have posted Bud Poles at Darlington; 22 drivers have won more than one.

Kasey Kahne is the defending Bud Pole winner for the Dodge Charger 500.

Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett and Ken Schrader lead all active drivers, each with three Bud Poles at Darlington.

Retired driver David Pearson leads all drivers with 12 poles at Darlington. Bill Elliott had five Bud poles there.

Nineteen of 101 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races at Darlington have been won from the Bud Pole, the most productive starting position. Thirty-five have been won from the first two starting positions and 66 have been won from the top five.. Three of the past nine Darlington races have been won from outside the top 30 starting positions – including two of the last four 500-mile races.

The furthermost back that a race winner has started at Darlington was 43rd in the inaugural Southern 500 in 1950 by Johnny Mantz. Only four other drivers have won at Darlington from a starting position further back than 15th: Herb Thomas (23rd - fall 1954), Bobby Labonte (37th - fall 2000), Ward Burton (37th - fall 2001) and Ricky Craven (31st - spring 2003).

Only 13 of the 101 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup (Grand National) races at Darlington have been won from a starting position outside the top 10.

Forty-one different drivers have won NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races at Darlington, 23 drivers have won more than once there.

Jimmie Jonson is the defending champion of the Dodge Charger 500.

Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with six victories at Darlington.

Retired driver David Pearson leads all drivers with 10 victories at Darlington.

In 46 years of twice-yearly NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing at Darlington, a sweep has occurred 10 times.

Jimmie Johnson was the last driver to win both Darlington races in the same year (2004).

The race at Darlington has been shortened by rain on eight occasions, six of those in the Labor Day classic.

There has been only one race run caution-free at Darlington, the 1963 Southern 500.

Looking Back
Rookie-of-the-Year contenders Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in their career-first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup race at Darlington – the 2002 Carolina Dodge Dealers 400. Only two other active drivers posted top-10 finishes in their Darlington debut: Tony Stewart (sixth - March 1999) and Mark Martin (seventh - April 1982.

Track Update of the Week
Jeremy Mayfield has seven top-10 finishes in his 21 races at Darlington – six were sixth or better. He has finished in every position in the top six except first.

Taming Darlington - Somewhat Darlington, known as “the track too tough to tame”, has nearly been tamed in recent years – by several drivers.

Jeff Gordon has 12 top-five finishes, including six victories, in the last 19 races at Darlington.

Dale Jarrett has nine top-five finishes, including three victories, in the last 16 races at Darlington. However, Jarrett has finished 18th or worse in his last four races there.

Jeff Burton has scored eight top-five finishes, including two victories, in the last 16 races at Darlington. He has not scored a top-10 finish there in his last four races.

Jimmie Johnson has five top-10 finishes, including two straight victories, in the last six races at Darlington.

Who's Hot

Jeff Gordon has won three races in 2005, more than any other driver.

Kurt Busch and Michael Waltrip are the only drivers to score top-10 finishes in the last three races.

Jimmie Johnson is the only driver to score five top-five and seven top-10 finishes in nine races in 2005.

Kurt Busch has scored six top-10 finishes in 2005, second only to Jimmie Johnson.

Jeff Gordon has climbed from 12th to third in the point standings in the last four races.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has climbed from 27th to ninth in the points in the last six races.

Roush Racing drivers have won four of the nine races in 2005. Hendrick Mororsports drivers have also scored four victories and Richard Childress Racing has scored one.

Career Milestones

Ricky Rudd is expected to make his 762nd consecutive career start this week at Darlington Raceway, extending the all-time record for consecutive starts by a NASCAR driver.

Sterling Marlin is expected to make his 650th NASCAR NEXTEL CUP career start this week at Darlington Raceway.

First at Darlington
Terry Labonte won his first race at Darlington (9-1-80) and won his last race there (8-31-03). Labonte also had his first start there (9-4-78).

Strong Starters at Darlington Raceway

Ryan Newman has posted one Bud Pole and five top-10 starts in six races at Darlington. He has a 5.2 starting average, the best among active drivers.

Jeff Gordon has posted 20 top-10 starts in 24 races at Darlington Raceway. He scored three Bud Poles in those 24 races and has a 6.25 starting average, second only to Ryan Newman.

Elliott Sadler has posted four straight top-10 starts at Darlington.

Top 10 Lap Leaders at Darlington Raceway
Driver Starts Laps Led
1. Earnhardt, Dale 44 2,648
2. Petty, Richard 65 2,391
3. Pearson, David 47 2,121
4. Waltrip, Darrell 55 1,723
5. Yarborough, Cale 49 1,648
6. Allison, Bobby 45 1,604
7. Gordon, Jeff 24 1,533
8. Gant, Harry 31 1,088
9. Elliott, Bill 51 980
10. Roberts, Fireball 20 916

Darlington Domination
Jimmie Johnson has a 7.8 average finish at Darlington, the best average finish among drivers with two or more starts there. Semi-retired driver Bill Elliott has an 8.96 finishing average in 51 races.

Owner Update
Hendrick Motorsports has won 11 races at Darlington Raceway the most among all owners. Hendrick Motorsports has won four of the last five Darlington races, with three different drivers. Jeff Gordon won the 2002 Mountain Dew Southern 500; Terry Labonte won the 2003 Mountain Dew Southern 500 and Jimmie Johnson won the last two, sweeping 2004.

And Beat Goes On
Elliott Sadler has been running at the finish in all 12 of the races at Darlington Raceway, the most starts by any driver at Darlington without a DNF. No other driver has more than eight starts without a DNF.

Darlington Streaks

Jimmie Johnson has finished third or better in his last three races at Darlington.

Bobby Labonte has scored three consecutive top-10 finishes at Darlington

Manufacturer Dominance
A Chevrolet has won four of the last five races at Darlington Raceway.

Sweeps at Darlington
Jimmie Johnson won both races at Darlington Raceway in 2004. It was the 10th time that a driver swept both races there.

Selected Records at Darlington Raceway

Richard Petty had 65 starts at Darlington. Ricky Rudd is expected to make his 57th start at Darlington.

Jeff Gordon, Ken Schrader and Dale Jarrett lead all active drivers, each with three Bud Poles at Darlington Raceway.

Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with six victories at Darlington Raceway.

Mark Martin leads all active drivers with 15 top-five finishes in 38 races at Darlington

Ricky Rudd leads all active drivers with 25 top-10 finishes in 65 races at Darlington.

Dale Earnhardt led 2,648 laps in 44 races at Darlington Raceway, more than any other driver.

Ryan Newman has a 5.2 starting average in six races at Darlington, the best of all active drivers.

Jimmie Johnson has a 7.8 average finish in six races at Darlington Raceway, the best of all drivers all-time with more than two starts there.

Skunked at Darlington Raceway

Kyle Petty has competed in 47 races at Darlington Raceway and has never scored a top-five finish there.

Rusty Wallace has not won at Darlington Raceway in his 42 races there and is just one of three drivers with more than 40 starts without a victory at the South Carolina superspeedway. The others without a Darlington victory are Kyle Petty (47) and Dave Marcis (58).

Season Nuggets Darlington May Spell Trouble for Some of the Top 10

Third-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. has scored just three top-10 finishes in 10 races at Darlington.

Fourth-place Greg Biffle has scored only one top-10 finish in four races at Darlington.

Sixth-place Tony Stewart has not scored a top-10 finish in his last three races at Darlington Raceway.

Seventh-place Dale Jarrett has finished 32nd or worse in five of his last seven races at Darlington Raceway.

Point Leader at Darlington
Jimmie Johnson has competed in six races at Darlington scoring victories in the last two races there. Johnson has scored five top-10 finishes in six races at Darlington. Johnson’s 7.8 average finish at Darlington is the best among all drivers with more than two starts at the South Carolina speedway. .

Defending NEXTEL Cup Champion at Darlington
Kurt Busch has competed in eight races at Darlington scoring four top-10 finishes, including sixth-place finishes in the last two races there.

Starting Up Front Never Hurt
Only Ryan Newman has started every race in 2005 from a top-10 starting position.

Streaks

Mark Martin has been running at the finish in 31 consecutive races, the longest current streak.

Get Those Bonus Points
Greg Biffle is the only driver to lead at least one lap in seven of the nine races in 2005.

Maintaining a Top-10 Standard

Kurt Busch has ranked in the top-10 of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series point standings for 44 consecutive races since Rockingham in February 2004, the longest current streak.

Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch are the only drivers that have ranked in the top 10 in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings after every race in 2005.

2005 Struggles

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has led only five laps in 2005. Dale Jarrett has led only one.

Matt Kenseth ranks 23rd in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings after nine races in 2005. One year ago he was fifth.

Bobby Labonte (33rd) has posted five DNFs in nine races in 2005, more than all other drivers. Labonte ranked 10th in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup point standings one year ago.

2005 Superspeedway Standouts
In the first seven superspeedway races in 2005:

Most Points Earned - Jimmie Johnson - 1,071 (two more than Kurt Busch)

Most Bud Poles –Ryan Newman (three)

Most Victories – Greg Biffle / Jeff Gordon (two each)

Most Top-fives – Jimmie Johnson (five)

Most Top-10s – Kurt Busch (six)

Most Races Led –Greg Biffle (six)

Winning Manufacturers – Ford (four); Chevrolet (three)

News and Results | Point Standings | 2005 Schedule | 2005 Teams | 2004 Schedule and Results