Been behind the wall with computer issues the last few weeks. Running on seven cylinders, so trying it with a few words this race.
Race Notes
- Ryan Blaney scores 2 RLCs before engine blows to take RLC Lead from Austin Cindric
- Penske (+ Wood Brothers) hold the Top Four positions in RLC Standings
- Denny Hamlin scores first RLC to get on the Leaderboard (tied for 15th)
- Tyler Reddick, John Hunter Nemechek and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are Top 20 in points but have yet to score a RLC.
- Lead Changes under Caution and Leaders pitting under Green, made up 67% of the Lead Changes. 9 Green Flag Lead changes was one car passing another (3 Restarts / 6 Racing Lead Changes).
- In many areas, this race didn’t post as good stats as last year’s Playoff race. Did the schedule change play a factor or are their other factors involved?
Race Breakdown
Winner-Kyle Larson– 1st Win of 2025
14 GEN 7 Wins-1st
30th Career Wins, 30th Overall, 5th Active driver
27 Lead Changes among 9 Drivers- Ryan Blaney led 124 Laps- 2nd Most Lead Changes in GEN 7 era. Most-33 (2024).
10 Caution Flag Lead Changes-17 Green Flag Lead Changes
Of 17 Green Flag Lead Changes- 8 Leader Pit Green LC- 3 Starts/Restarts LC
6 Racing Lead Changes by 5 Drivers
2 Ryan Blaney 1 Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman, Kyle Larson
Winning Pass – Lap 261 Kyle Larson passes Alex Bowman (RLC)
Margin of Victory 1.205 sec. 2nd Closet in GEN 7 era. Closest – 0.241 seconds (2024).
3361 Green Flag Passes (position change at scoring loops) 2nd Most in GEN 7 era. Most-6056 (2024)
267 Laps – 27 CF Laps- 240 GF Laps
240 GF Laps – 15 Start/Restart Laps- 225 Racing Laps
4 Cautions- 5 Start/Restarts- 5 GF Runs
37 Cars Start- 35 Cars Running- 25 Cars on Lead Lap
Racing Lead Change Scoreboard (Thru Homestead)
RLCs – Drivers
9-Ryan Blaney
8-Austin Cindric
7-Joey Logano, Josh Berry
6-Alex Bowman, Bubba Wallace
5-William Byron, Kyle Larson
4-Todd Gilliland, Ross Chastain
3-Shane van Gisbergen, Kyle Busch
2-Michael McDowell, Noah Gragson
1-Ryan Preece, Christopher Bell, Ty Dillon, Chase Elliott, Corey LaJoie, Daniel Suarez, Denny Hamlin
Thanks for bearing with me. Hopefully this works. Let’s see what Martinsville looks like with a softer compound tire. Till then…
Thunder On… and Stay Safe!
David Nance
Photo Credit (cover): Chris Graythen/Getty Images
David, I read all of your articles, even if I don’t get a chance to comment. I enjoy them but sometimes, time just doesn’t permit to to always respond.
Sunday, I was really hoping that Ryan Blaney would be able to win, but unfortunately, his car had other ideas. Sometimes, I feel guilty that I am always hoping Toyota drivers do bad…
Was happy to see Larson win. He is one of the “Good Ones”, imo
Thank you again, for keeping these coming.
Even with your tech handicap, these were insightful stats as always. Thanks. With television limiting what a fan can see, these give a more complete picture of how competitive the race was.