The NASCAR Cup Series 2021 season has seen five races won by five different drivers. Will there be a sixth winner in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway this Sunday?
That is a distinct possibility when you look at the past statistics. First, let’s cover the basic data for the track and race this weekend.
Atlanta Motor Speedway Data
Track Size: 1.54-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 24 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 24 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 2,332 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,800 feet
Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Data
Season Race #: 6 of 36 (03-21-21)
Race Length: 325 laps / 500.5 miles
Stage 1 & 2: 105 Laps (each)
Final Stage: 115 Laps
Now let’s look at the data that leans toward having a sixth different winner in the sixth race of the season.
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Atlanta
Kevin Harvick……………………… 102.2
Brad Keselowski……………………. 96.9
Martin Truex Jr……………………… 96.9
Kurt Busch…………………………… 96.7
Denny Hamlin……………………….. 94.7
Kyle Busch…………………………… 94.0
Chase Elliott…………………………. 93.1
Kyle Larson………………………….. 90.2
Joey Logano………………………… 83.6
Ryan Blaney…………………………. 83.6
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2020 races (22 total) among active drivers at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Active Drivers with Win(s) at Atlanta
Kevin Harvick – 3 Wins (2020 race winner)
Kurt Busch – 3 Wins
Brad Keselowski – 2 Wins
Kyle Busch – 2 Wins
Denny Hamlin – 1 Win
Only two of the drivers in the Top 10 Driver Ratings among active drivers at the track have won a race so far this season. None of this year’s five race winners have scored even a single win at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Those statistics would tend to indicate a driver that has yet to win this season has a higher chance of being the winner this weekend.
However, this season has not followed the stats or trends very much. That could also indicate a sixth different winner. It just might be another first time winner.
There is the chance that one of the less likely candidates that have won a race this season could be the first repeat winner of the year. That would also follow the path this year has been on of not following typical paths.
What do you think, will we get a repeat winner or a sixth different winner this weekend?
We will all find out which way it goes this Sunday, March 21st starting at 2 p.m. central time (3 p.m. eastern time) at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.
By: Buck Stevens
