Four-wide racing is common on Talladega's wide oval. Credit: Autostock

By the Numbers: Aaron's 499

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Talladega Superspeedway has long been one of NASCAR's most competitive tracks, and recent years have seen white-knuckle action with large packs of cars created by performance-robbing carburetor restrictor plates.

Talladega's most recent winner, Dale Earnhardt Jr., may be most apt to expand Talladega's statistical legacy, but the competition has narrowed the gap, as shown by Jeff Gordon's victory in the Daytona 500.

KNOW YOUR NASCAR •   NASCAR By the Numbers •   Modern Era winners by track •   KYN: History

The following numbers refer to Talladega Superspeedway and the Aaron's 499, unless otherwise noted.

0 -- The fewest caution periods, most recently in 2002.

1 -- The number of top-10 finishes by Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin in their last five and six starts, respectively.

1 -- The number of active drivers who have scored their first Cup win: Ken Schrader.

1 -- The fewest finishers on the lead lap, most recently in 1979.

Ricky Rudd

2 -- The number of active drivers whose last career pole position came at Talladega: Ken Schrader and Ricky Rudd.

3 -- Jeremy Mayfield's number of pole positions with different owners: Cale Yarborough, Penske-Kranefuss and Ray Evernham.

3 -- Dale Jarrett's streak of top-10 starts, longest among active drivers.

3 -- The fewest laps led by a race winner, most recently by Bobby Hamilton in 2001.

4 -- Kevin Harvick's streak of top-10 finishes.

4 -- The fewest leaders, in 1971.

5 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s leading number of victories by an active driver.

6 -- The number of drivers who scored their only Cup victory: Ron Bouchard, Richard Brickhouse, Dick Brooks, Bobby Hillin Jr., Phil Parsons and Lennie Pond.

6 -- Jimmie Johnson's average start, in six races.

7 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s number of consecutive first- or second-place finishes.

7 -- The number of years since Ford won.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

7.3 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s average finish, in 10 races.

8 -- Bill Elliott's leading number of pole positions.

8 -- The number of active drivers who have been running at the finish of all their starts: Kevin Harvick (eight), Jamie McMurray (five), Greg Biffle (four), Scott Wimmer (three), Mike Bliss (two), Scott Riggs (two), Jason Leffler (two) and Kasey Kahne (two).

9 -- The number of the last 12 races that have been won from starting positions of 11th or worse.

9 -- Richard Childress' leading number of victories by a car owner.

11 -- The most caution periods, in 2004.

11 -- The margin of victory, in seconds, when Harry Gant beat Darrell Waltrip in 1991.

12 -- The number of consecutive victories by Chevrolet.

12 -- The number of the 71 Cup races won from the pole.

Bobby Labonte

13 -- The number of races since a driver won from the pole: Bobby Labonte in 1998.

13 -- The fewest lead changes, in 1973.

14 -- The fewest cars running at the finish, in 1986.

14 -- Terry Labonte's leading number of top-five finishes among active drivers.

15 -- Greg Biffle's best finish in four career starts.

17 -- Ricky Rudd's leading number of DNFs by an active driver.

22 -- Elliott Sadler's best finish in his last three starts.

22 -- Bobby Hillin's age when he became the youngest winner in 1986.

26 -- The most leaders, most recently in 2001.

29 -- The number of years since Dodge last won.

29 -- The most finishers on the lead lap, in 2001.

33 -- The degree of banking in the four turns.

Jeff Gordon

36 -- Jeff Gordon's starting position in 2000, the farthest back a winner has started.

40 -- The most cars running at the finish, in 2001.

40 -- The number of the 71 Cup races won from starting positions inside the top-four.

51 -- Harry Gant's age when he became the oldest winner in 1991.

56 -- Ricky Rudd's leading number of starts by an active driver.

62 -- The most caution laps, in 1972.

75 -- The most lead changes, in 1984.

153 -- The most laps led by a race winner, by Pete Hamilton in 1970.

188.354 -- Mark Martin's 500-mile race record average speed in miles per hour.

199.388 -- Bill Elliott's restrictor-plate Bud Pole Qualifying record lap.

212.809 -- Bill Elliott's all-time NASCAR qualifying record lap, in miles per hour.

428 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s total laps led in his last seven races.

501 -- The number of laps led by Jeff Gordon.

143,000 -- The announced grandstand seating capacity.