(WOMR file photo)
In about 11 hours, the pavement at the Daytona International Speedway will be heating up. That’s right, the first race of the 2014 Speedweeks will taking the green flag. The Sprint Unlimited, formerly known as The Bud Shootout, will take center stage at “The World Center of Speed”.
Just in case any of you are wondering about some of the facts and statistics that go along with the Sprint Unlimited, which used to known as the Bud Shootout, I researched a few facts that just might be interesting to you!
.013 – Margin of victory in seconds by Kyle Busch over Tony Stewart in 2012, the closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history.
.058 – Margin of victory in seconds by Kurt Busch over Jamie McMurray in 2011, the second closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history.
.08 – Margin of victory in seconds by Dale Earnhardt over Sterling Marlin in 1995, the third closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history.
1 – Laps led by Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1983-84), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Dale Jarrett (2000 and 2004) and Kevin Harvick (2009) in the Sprint Unlimited races they won.
2 – The starting position that has produced the most Sprint Unlimited wins (five).
2.75 – Average finish by Dale Earnhardt, best by any driver with multiple starts.
5 – Drivers who have won the event in their first appearance (Buddy Baker, 1979; Dale Earnhardt, 1980; Jeff Gordon, 1994; Dale Jarrett, 1996; Denny Hamlin, 2006).
6 – Number of Sprint Unlimited wins by Dale Earnhardt, the series leader.
7 – Number of fewest starters in the field for the Sprint Unlimited (1981).
9 – Number of races led, most since race began in 1979 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.)
11 – Number of starts before winning, most since race began in 1979 (Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin).
14 – Number of different leaders in the 2009 event, most since race began in 1979.
20 – Number of wins by Chevrolet in the Sprint Unlimited, leads all manufacturers.
20 – Most consecutive starts in the Sprint Unlimited by Mark Martin (1989-2008) and Jeff Gordon (1994-2013).
27 – Kevin Harvick’s starting position in 2009, the lowest by a race winner in the event’s history.
28 – Number of lead changes in the 2011 event, highest number since race began in 1979.
44 – Laps led by Greg Biffle in 2005, the most by a driver who did not win the event.
47 – Laps led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008, the most in a single Sprint Unlimited.
124.095 mph – The slowest average speed of the race for the Sprint Unlimited was last season’s event won by Kyle Busch.
197.802 mph – The fastest average speed of the race for the Sprint Unlimited was in 1987 won by Bill Elliott.(NASCAR)
I know that there was someone out there who had a burning desire to learn these things. No need to research any further! I looked them up so that you wouldn’t have to!
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
