Lead Changes Down in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series from 2016

(Photo-Chris Trotman/Getty Images/NASCAR Media)

With the implication of the new stage racing, many expected more lead changes in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. That wasn't the case though because lead changes were down in 2017 from 2016.

There were a total of 593 lead changes this season, down from 617 in 2016. The 2017 Daytona 500 had the most lead changes at 37 while New Hampshire in September featured the least amount with six.

(Photo - Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Both Daytona races were at the top of the chart with the 500 having 37, as noted above, and the Coke Zero 400 having 33 lead changes. Talladega was third with 30 followed by Texas in November (27) and Talladega in October (26).

A total of five races only featured single-digit lead changes. Atlanta (9), Kentucky (9), Watkins Glen (9), New Hampshire (6), and Phoenix in November (9). That number remained the same from 2016 with five races in 2016 featuring single-digit lead changes.

The driver with the most laps led this season also carried home the championship at the end of the season. Martin Truex Jr. led a total of 2,253 laps with Kyle Busch leading the second most at 2,023 laps. The remaining of the top-five are as listed: Kyle Larson (1,352), Kevin Harvick (850), and Brad Keselowski (778).

Michael McDowell completed the most laps of the season with 10,446, 98% of the laps. Paul Menard (10,405), Ryan Blaney (10,395), Martin Truex Jr. (10368), and Denny Hamlin (10,359) all rounded out the top-five in that stat book. (Koelle,2017)