Top 5 recent short-track drivers in NASCAR ft. Kyle Larson

Drivers in NASCAR have excelled across varying race tracks over the years. While Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin have shown their craft at short tracks, names like Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. have excelled at intermediate surfaces.

With the NASCAR weekend in Nashville just around the corner, here's a look at the best-performing drivers on short-track surfaces. It is to be noted that the data taken into account while crafting this list has been limited from the 2021 season till now.

Short tracks, defined as any race track less than 1.0 miles in length, are known for their close-quarters racing and frequent contact between cars. These tracks also tend to be the slowest on the circuit due to their shorter length.

Historically, NASCAR primarily raced on short tracks, making tracks like Bristol, Martinsville, North Wilkesboro, and Richmond some of the oldest and most storied venues in the sport. In contrast, Iowa stands out as a newer addition to the circuit.

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Best NASCAR drivers on short tracks featuring Kyle Larson

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1. Denny Hamlin

A veteran driver for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and regarded as one of the all-time greats, Denny Hamlin has established himself as a master of short tracks. Despite never clinching a Cup title, Hamlin's prowess on short tracks is undeniable.

Since 2021, he has secured four wins, with two victories coming this year at Bristol and Richmond. Hamlin boasts an impressive average finish of 8.1, with 12 top-five and 14 top-ten finishes. He has led over 1,700 laps on short tracks since the 2021 season.

Over his two-decade career, Denny Hamlin has accumulated 14 wins on short tracks.

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2. Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, has proven to be a dominant force on short tracks. With an average finish of 8.5, Larson has proven to be a standout performer in recent seasons.

Since 2021, he has secured 11 top-five and 13 top-ten finishes, leading 845 laps on short tracks. Kyle Larson claimed victories at Martinsville and Richmond last season and won at Bristol in 2021, the same year he captured the Cup title.

3. Chase Elliot

Chase Elliott, a teammate to Kyle Larson and the 2020 Cup champion, continues to be a strong contender on short tracks. Although he hasn't secured a win in recent years, Elliott maintains an impressive average finish of 9.2. He has achieved seven top-five and 12 top-ten finishes, leading 874 laps on short tracks.

Elliott's only win at a short track came in Martinsville in 2020, the season he won his maiden Cup title.

4. Joey Logano

Two-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano, driving for Team Penske, has also demonstrated strong performances on short tracks. While he hasn't secured any wins in recent years, Logano has an average finish of 9.5 reflects.

He has recorded seven top-five and 14 top-ten finishes, leading over 400 laps. Throughout his career, Logano has accumulated five wins on short tracks.

5. Christopher Bell

Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing has quickly made a name for himself on short tracks. With an average finish of 10.4, Bell has shown promise. He secured a win at Martinsville in 2022 and has achieved eight top-five and 13 top-ten finishes.

Bell's impressive performances have earned him a spot among the top short-track drivers. He continues to build on his success with three wins already this year.

The NASCAR Cup Series currently races on 26 different tracks, with the Charlotte Roval and Charlotte Motor Speedway oval counting as two separate tracks. Meanwhile, the NASCAR Xfinity Series adds one track not on the Cup Series schedule, while the Camping World Truck Series adds three more. This brings the total to 30 tracks for the three national series.