Eight statistical categories are factored into the formula that creates
Driver Rating.
Since the inception of NASCAR's Loop Data statistics in 2005, Ron Hornaday Jr.
ranks first in exactly zero of those categories at Bristol Motor Speedway,
including the all-telling Driver Rating stat.
Here's the breakdown, category-by-category:
Wins: Though Hornaday is the only driver with multiple wins at Bristol,
both came prior to the inception of Loop Data.
Finishes: Since 2005, he has an average finish of just 17.8.
Top-15 Finishes: Since the four Bristol races since 2005, Hornaday has
finished in the top 15 only twice. In 2006, he finished 27th and last season he
finished 24th.
Average Running Position: This is weighed most in the formula. Hornaday
is seventh-best with a 12.4, which ranks behind notable entries Mike Skinner,
Kyle Busch and Todd Bodine, all of whom have an Average Running Position in the
Top 10.
Average Green Flag Speed: Hornaday ranks sixth in this category with a
114.860 mph average. Every driver above him eclipses the 115 mph mark.
Fastest Laps Run: Hornaday has run the fastest lap just 19 times at
Bristol over the last four years, less than a fifth of leader Kyle Busch's 101.
Most Laps Led: A per-race stat, Hornaday hasn't done it once. In fact, he
hasn't led a lap at Bristol in the series since 1999.
Lead Lap Finish: Hornaday has finished on the lead lap in only two of his
last four races. He finished 20 laps down in last year's race, running just 183
of the 200 laps.
Driver Rating: All that adds up to a Driver Rating that's a personal
worst. Hornaday has a Driver Rating of 85.5, making Bristol his worst track in
terms of Driver Rating - a full point lower than his second-worst track,
Michigan International Speedway (86.6).
"Bristol has changed. Since they ground the track, it's a lot different. When I
was driving for Dale and Teresa (Earnhardt), it was very much move someone out
of the way. I learned a lot about that track from Dale," said Hornaday. "II say
that I haven't won a race at the "new" Bristol Motor Speedway."
