Indianapolis NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying Stats

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Indianapolis is one of those places that will always remain in history and will continue to be some of the most hallowed grounds in Motorsports. Whether it be the Indianapolis 500 or Brickyard 400, This is a place you not only want to win at but also win the pole. Drivers like Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, and Ryan Newman have all won the Brickyard 400 from the Pole. James Hinchcliffe won the pole in the Indianapolis 500 earlier this year, where he finished 7th. Here are some facts about Pole Qualifying at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Qualifying Stats 

• Rick Mast won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Indianapolis in 1994 with a speed of 172.414 mph.
• 18 drivers have won Coors Light poles at Indianapolis, led by Jeff Gordon with three; followed by Kevin Harvick with two.
• Two drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Indianapolis: Jeff Gordon (1995-96) and Ernie Irvan (1997-98).
• Reed Sorenson (07/29/07) is the only driver to post his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light pole at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
• Chevrolet leads the series in poles at IMS with 10; followed by Ford with six; Toyota, Dodge and Pontiac each have two.
• Only three of the 22 (13.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis have been won from the Coors Light pole: Kevin Harvick (2003), Jimmie Johnson (2008) and Ryan Newman (2013).
• The pole and the third-place starting position are the two most proficient starting positions in the field, each producing three winners - more than any other starting positions at Indianapolis.
• Five of the 22 (22.7%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis have been won from the front row: three from the pole and two from second-place.
• 11 of the 22 (50%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis have been won from a top-five starting position.
• 14 of the 22 (63.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Indianapolis have been won from a top-10 starting position.
• Three of the 22 (13.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Indianapolis have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
• The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Indianapolis is 27th, by Jeff Gordon in 2001.
• Qualifying has not been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.