NASCAR Top 10 Closest Battles: In another thrilling NASCAR season, the race tracks that allow for drafting once again took center stage, providing fans with nail-biting moments and unforgettable finishes. Among the top ten closest finishes of the year, six occurred on drafting tracks, showcasing the intensity and excitement these venues bring to the sport. Notably, the Xfinity Series stood out as the most consistent, delivering photo finishes on superspeedways, a road course, and even a short track.
Let’s recap the closest finishes of the 2023 NASCAR season:
10. Michigan Cup – Chris Buescher vs. Martin Truex Jr. – 0.152s Buescher secured back-to-back wins by fending off Truex in a thrilling finish at Michigan, setting the stage for more nail-biting moments later in the season.
9. Portland Xfinity – Cole Custer vs. Justin Allgaier – 0.142s A wild overtime finish at the Portland road course saw Custer take the lead after the top-three contenders blew the first chicane. Allgaier’s remarkable effort fell just short at the finish line.
8. Talladega Xfinity – Jeb Burton vs. Sheldon Creed – 0.113s Burton’s strategic race at Talladega earned him his second career Xfinity Series win, with Creed finishing a close second, a recurring theme in his 2023 season.
7. Daytona Cup – Chris Buescher vs. Brad Keselowski – 0.098s Buescher, with assistance from teammate Keselowski, secured an RFK Racing 1-2 finish at Daytona, marking a significant moment for the team.
6. Talladega Truck – Brett Moffitt vs. Ben Rhodes – 0.089s The 2018 Truck Series champion, Moffitt, returned to Victory Lane with a daring last-lap pass, making it a thrilling conclusion to the Talladega Truck race.
5. Atlanta Xfinity – Austin Hill vs. Daniel Hemric – 0.085s A chaotic finish at Atlanta saw Hill capture the checkered flag while Kligerman’s bid for the win ended in a collision with Hemric, adding drama to the conclusion.
4. Las Vegas Cup – Kyle Larson vs. Christopher Bell – 0.082s In the Round of 8, Larson held off Bell’s charge, securing a crucial win for Championship 4 contention, setting the stage for Bell’s redemption at Homestead.
3. Martinsville Xfinity – Justin Allgaier vs. Sheldon Creed – 0.032s A chaotic battle at Martinsville had championship implications, with Hill crashing and Creed narrowly missing victory in a full-contact duel.
2. Talladega Cup – Ryan Blaney vs. Kevin Harvick (DQ) – 0.012s In Harvick’s final season, Blaney made a bold pass at Talladega, leading to one of the closest finishes. Unfortunately, Harvick’s disqualification marred the record books.
1. Daytona Xfinity – Justin Allgaier vs. Sheldon Creed – 0.005s The closest finish of the year unfolded at Daytona, with Allgaier denying Creed at the checkered flag by the narrowest of margins. Creed’s quest for a maiden Xfinity Series win faced repeated heartbreak throughout the season, leaving fans eager for what the next year might bring.
ALSO READ: 2023 NASCAR Season Finale Recap: Underdog Triumphs and Exciting Prospects
Our Reader’s Queries
What was the closest finish at Talladega?
In the 1993 DieHard 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, Dale Earnhardt emerged victorious by a mere 0.005 seconds, beating Ernie Irvan in a nail-biting finish. This race will always be remembered for the intense competition and the incredible skill displayed by both drivers. Earnhardt’s win was a testament to his talent and determination, and it solidified his status as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
In what year and between which drivers was the closest championship race ever?
In 2003, Ricky Craven and Kurt Busch had a nail-bitingly close race at Darlington Raceway, which was the first of its kind. The second race that came close to ending in a tie was in 2011 at Talladega Superspeedway, where Jimmie Johnson and Clint Bowyer were mere inches apart, even though they were traveling at over 150 miles per hour.
Where is NASCAR most famous?
Stock car racing is a beloved pastime in the southeastern United States, with North Carolina boasting the largest population of NASCAR enthusiasts. However, other cities such as Roanoke, Virginia also have a significant fan base, with 32 percent of the population reported to be fans. Orlando is another city where the sport has a huge following. Whether it’s the thrill of the race or the sense of community that comes with being a fan, stock car racing continues to captivate audiences across the region.
What is the largest margin of victory in a NASCAR race?
NASCAR legend Ned Jarrett secured an impressive victory, winning the race by a staggering 14 laps. This remarkable feat remains the largest margin of victory in NASCAR history.
