League: NASCAR Sport: Motorsports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

NASCAR drivers leading most laps win less often since 2021

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 22, 2026, 12:00 AM

Last updated Oct 22, 2026

NASCAR drivers leading most laps win less often since 2021

Summary

In recent seasons, NASCAR data shows a significant decline in the percentage of races won by drivers who lead the most laps. From 2018 to 2020, these drivers won 51.9% of the time, while this figure dropped to 38.0% from 2021 through October 2026., Denny Hamlin led 292 laps at Martinsville on March 29, 2026, but finished second behind Chase Elliott, who led fewer laps. In total, among the races in 2026 so far, only 13 of the top lap leaders have secured wins, consistent with the trend observed since 2021.

Source Links

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Status Watch

•Drivers leading most laps won 51.9% of races from 2018 to 2020.
•Winning percentage for top lap leaders fell to 38.0% from 2021 onwards.
•Denny Hamlin led 292 laps at Martinsville but finished second.
•Only 13 of 33 top lap leaders in 2026 have won their races.
•This season's win rates align with the downward trend seen since 2021.

Latest Updates

12:00 AMYahoo Sports — Lead the Most Laps, Win the Race? Not Like It Used To

What they're saying

"
The field prepares for a restart during the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2025. Photo: TaurusEmerald / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) The NASCAR Cup driver who led the most laps won 51.9% of races in 2018–2020. Since 2021, it is 38.0%. Here is what NASCAR’s official race data shows. The post Lead the Most Laps, Win the Race? Not Like It Used To appeared first on Backfire Racing.
— Yahoo Sports

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