2023
The DRIVERS...
...THAT MAKE or "BREAK" our TEAM!
hey gang,
This page represents the last of the 2023 NGFL STATistics.
We had just 28 players this season. At the start of the year, I was thinking that we all had a chance to score a win. Some of us didn't share the same thought!
So how was your season? Good, bad? Better, worse than you expected? I know I didn't fare as well as seasons past. I lost my win streak & 1000 club streak! Back to the drawing board for me.
In doing the stats, I am not sure if anyone noticed, but we have 984 wins to this date!! Just 16 more wins before we reach a huge milestone, 1000 WINS! That is extreme! Our league is so strong I wonder who will get that win? It will definitely be next season! Me, Me, Me??? :)
This year we ran the Streets of Chicago as our new track. 2023 was the last season on dirt at Bristol as well as the last time we ran the road course at Indianapolis. No California. Are they revamping that track I wonder? It is not on the schedule again next year.
Hendrick Motorsports got their 300th win this year and for the first time ever, Stewart Haas Racing went winless. Roush Fenway Keselowski made the chase for the first time since 2019.
We had some pretty big penalties this season as well. I know those penalties killed a few leaguers' season. It really is kind of hard to recover from 100-point deficit. You can only hope you don't pick the driver that may end up under scrutiny.
We just lost TV Announcer Ken Squier. You knew that man's voice without seeing who was talking. He was such a pleasant man and easy to listen to. He will be missed.
The new schedule is out, so like NASCAR, I will be prepping for the 2024 season. I really hope it will be as exciting as this season was but maybe with less penalties or at least "smaller" ones! Or maybe the teams should think about not playing in that "gray" area. They aren't the only ones affected!!
I did take a lot of notes throughout the year and can only hope I remembered to update them all. I am hoping that everyone found their name somewhere other than just on the lists. I hope you found the notes interesting.
I do want to mention how much I appreciate all the kind words many of you passed along this season in your emails throughout the season. Right down to Cobaka lobbying for me to be put in the chase without a win...lol Thank you Don. I really did appreciate that as well!
You are all my biggest fans!! You keep the NGFL going. I hope that I will see you all in the lineup next season. And if you know someone who might be interested, please have them email me. I am in the setup mode for 2024 :)
To end the 2023 NGFL season, here are the drivers' stats and how
they affected our teams, results and standings.
Starting out with the price list....
| drivers | Daytona1 | Phoenix2 | difference | |
| 1 | #6 Brad Keselowski | $2.6 | $5.7 | $3.1 |
| 2 | #54 Ty Gibbs | $1.0 | $3.8 | $2.8 |
| 3 | #19 Martin Truex | $4.3 | $6.0 | $1.7 |
| 4 | #17 Chris Buescher | $3.4 | $5.1 | $1.7 |
| 5 | #12 Ryan Blaney | $5.8 | $7.0 | $1.2 |
| 6 | #47 Ricky Stenhouse | $2.2 | $3.4 | $1.2 |
| 7 | #7 Corie Lajoie | $1.2 | $2.0 | $0.8 |
| 8 | #45 Tyler Reddick | $4.6 | $5.3 | $0.7 |
| 9 | #34 Michael McDowell | $2.7 | $3.4 | $0.7 |
| 10 | #5 Kyle Larson | $5.9 | $6.6 | $0.7 |
| 11 | #23 Bubba Wallace | $3.8 | $4.2 | $0.4 |
| 12 | #24 William Byron | $6.0 | $6.4 | $0.4 |
| 13 | #20 Christopher Bell | $6.5 | $6.8 | $0.3 |
| 14 | #16 AJ Allmendinger | $3.0 | $3.2 | $0.2 |
| 15 | #4 Kevin Harvick | $4.5 | $4.7 | $0.2 |
| 16 | #11 Denny Hamlin | $6.3 | $6.2 | ($0.1) |
| 17 | #41 Ryan Preece | $2.4 | $2.3 | ($0.1) |
| 18 | #8 Kyle Busch | $5.1 | $4.9 | ($0.2) |
| 19 | #38 Todd Gilliland | $1.6 | $1.4 | ($0.2) |
| 20 | #78 BJ McLeod | $0.4 | $0.1 | ($0.3) |
| 21 | #31 Justin Haley | $2.8 | $2.1 | ($0.7) |
| 22 | #77 Ty Dillon | $1.4 | $0.7 | ($0.7) |
| 23 | #10 Aric Almirola | $3.7 | $3.0 | ($0.7) |
| 24 | #21 Harrison Burton | $1.8 | $1.0 | ($0.8) |
| 25 | #1 Ross Chastain | $6.7 | $5.5 | ($1.2) |
| 26 | #99 Daniel Suarez | $5.3 | $4.0 | ($1.3) |
| 27 | #48 Alex Bowman | $4.4 | $2.5 | ($1.9) |
| 28 | #9 Chase Elliott | $6.4 | $4.5 | ($1.9) |
| 29 | #2 Austin Cindric | $4.7 | $2.7 | ($2.0) |
| 30 | #22 Joey Logano | $7.0 | $5.0 | ($2.0) |
| 31 | #43 Erik Jones | $3.9 | $1.7 | ($2.2) |
| 32 | #3 Austin Dillon | $5.2 | $1.2 | ($4.0) |
| 33 | #14 Chase Briscoe | $5.5 | $1.3 | ($4.2) |
Of course there are notes on the DRIVERS too!
1. Brad Keselowski is the most improved driver for 2023, running the full time schedule.
Daytona1 - $2.6 - Phoenix2 $5.7
(2022 - Daniel Suarez) (2021 - Kyle Larson) (2020 - Tyler Reddick) (2019 - William Byron)
(2018 - Joey Logano) (2017 - Erik Jones) (2016 - Chase Elliott) (2015 - Martin Truex)
(2014 - Denny Hamlin) (2013 - Kurt Busch) (2012 - Martin Truex) (2011 - Brad Keselowski)
2. There were 14 drivers who cost more in Phoenix2 then in the Daytona 500.
(2022 - 22) (2021 - 10) (2020 - 15) (2019 - 15) (2018 - 10) (2017 - 13) (2016 - 8)
(2015 - 8) (2014 - 11) (2013 - 15) (2012 - 18) (2011 - 18) (2010 - 19) (2009 - 16)
3. NO driver's price was the same in the opener as it was in the finale. 2nd consecutive season.
4. Brad Keselowski was the biggest dropper of the 2022 season, and best driver in 2023.
Chase Briscoe is biggest dropper in 2023. Will he be the best driver in 2024?
5. There were 4 of the Chase drivers who dropped in price from the Daytona 500.
(2022 - 4) (2021 - 9) (2020 - 6) (2019 - 8)
Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano
6. There was ONE driver who earned his first career CUP win in 2023. Shane VanGisbergen - ChicagoSC.
7. Chase Elliott earned the most points from the farthest finishing position. (12th at Talladega1)
8. Twice 2 drivers earned most points in a race. (Bristol Dirt - Bell, ADillon - 52 pts) (Richmond2 - Buescher, Hamlin - 49 pts)
9. All total, in 11 races, the winner did not earn the most points.
PENALTIES , points or position.
| R# | Race | driver | points | pos | Stage | players | |
| 4 | Phoenix1 | #31 Justin Haley | 75 | 3 | |||
| 4 | Phoenix1 | #11 Denny Hamlin | 25 | 12 | |||
| 7 | Richmond1 | #24 William Byron | 60 | 24 | |||
| 7 | Richmond1 | #48 Alex Bowman | 60 | 13 | |||
| 9 | Martinsville1 | #3 Austin Dillon | 60 | 5 | |||
| 14 | Charlotte1 | #9 Chase Elliott | 1 Race | 0 | |||
| 14 | Charlotte1 | #14 Chase Briscoe | 120 | 4 | |||
| 15 | WWTR | #43 Erik Jones | 60 | 4 | |||
| 31 | Talladega2 | #4 Kevin Harvick | 37 | 2nd to 38th | 3 | ||
| 33 | Las Vegas2 | $12 Ryan Blaney | 38 | 6th to 36th | 8 |
|
Of course some notations on Penalities...
1. Biggest point penalty...Chase Briscoe - 120 points. Justin Haley had the 2nd highest - 75 points.
2. Biggest position penalty...Kevin Harvick - 36 positions.
3. The race where the penalty driver was picked the most...Richmond1. William Byron was on 24 teams.
4. The race with the most penalties...Charlotte1, Phoenix1, Richmond1 2 drivers each received a penalty.
5. Penalties this season affected 62 player score total. (in 2022, 57 scores were affected by penalties.)
6. Phoenix1 - Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott & Kyle Larson all received a 100 point penalty.
(Their penalty was rescinded and Justin Haley's original 100 point penalty was reduced to 75.)
DRIVER PICKED MOST ON A WINNING TEAM....
1. #23 Bubba Wallace - 15 winning teams.
2. #11 Denny Hamlin - 14 winning teams.
3. #5 Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Ty Gibbs - 12 winning teams.
4. #4 Kevin Harvick was 1st this season to be picked on 2 winning teams.
6. #5 Kyle Larson was the first driver to be on 5 winning teams.
7. #23 Bubba Wallace was the first driver to be on 10 winning teams.
8. No driver was on more than 14 winning teams.
NGFL Teams with the winner of the race on their team.......... 21
NGFL Teams without the winner on their team.....................15
CUP TEAMS not on a winning NGFL team 15, 51, 77. Same cars as last season, minus the 78. He was picked once. :)
9. Kyle Larson won 4X. He was on all 4 winning teams. (Richmond1, Martinsville1, Darlington2, Las Vegas2)
10. William Byron won 6X. He was on 3 out of 6 winning teams. (Not Phoenix1, Atlanta2, Texas2)
11. Ryan Blaney won 3X and was NOT on any of the winning teams. (Charlotte1, Talladega2, Martinmsville2)
12. There were 5 drivers to win just one race.
(Ricky Stenhouse, Joey Logano, Shane VanGisbergen, Michael McDowell, AJ Allmendinger)
13. Of those 5 drivers to win just one race, only Ricky Stenhouse was not picked to be on the winning team.
Who cost us $7.0 million on the price list?
#22 Joey Logano - Daytona1, California - 2 races (defending NASCAR champion)
#1 Ross Chastain - Las Vegas1, Phoenix1 - 2 races
#48 Alex Bowman - Atlanta1 - 1 race
#22 Joey Logano - COTA - 1 race
#1 Ross Chastain - Richmond1 - 1 race
#48 Alex Bowman - Bristol Dirt - 1 race
#20 Christopher Bell - Martinsville1, Talladega1 - Dover - 3 races
#1 Ross Chastain - Kansas1, Darlington1, Charlotte1, WWTR - 4 races
#12 Ryan Blaney - Sonoma - 1 race
#19 Martin Truex - Nashville, ChicagoSC, Atlanta2 - 3 races
#22 William Byron - Loudon - 1 race
#19 Martins Truex - Pocono, Richmond2, Michigan2, IndianapolisRC, Watkins Glen, Daytona2 - 6 races
#19 Martin Truex, 24 William Byron - Darlington2 - 1 race
#24 William Byron - Kansas2 - 1 race
#5 Kyle Larson - Bristol2 - 1 race
#19 Martin Truex, 24 William Byron - Texas2 - 1 race
#24 William Byron - Talladega2, CharlotteRC, Las Vegas2 - 3 races
#5 Kyle Larson - Homestead - 1 race
#24 William Byron -Martinsville2 - 1 race
#12 Ryan Blaney - Phoenix2 - 1 race
1. William Byron won the 300th race at Texas for Hendrick Motorsports. The most of any team in NASCAR.
2. There were just 8 drivers that led the field this season.
William Byron led 8 races. (Byron & Truex led the points 2X together) Ross Chastain led 7 races.
Joey Logano led 3 races. Christopher Bell led 3 races. Alex Bowman led 2 races. Kyle Larson led 2 races.
(2022 - 5) (2021 - 3) (2020 - 6) (2019 - 4) (2018 - 4) (2017 - 5) (2016 - 8)
(2015 - 6) (2014 - 8) (2013 - 4) (2012 - 8) (2011 - 6) (2010 - 3)
3. Martin Truex cost us $7.0 million the most. 11 of 36 races
4. We had 20 leader changes this season.
(2022 - 12) (2021 - 4) (2020 - 7) (2019 - 15) (2018 - 10) (2017 - 7) (2016 - 15)
(2015 - 6) (2014 - 15) (2013 - 7) (2012 - 14) (2011 -17) (2010 - 7)
5. Chevrolet won 18 races. Toyota won 10 races. Ford won 8 races.
Chevy - Ross Chastain - 2, Kyle Larson - 4, Kyle Busch - 3, AJ Allmendinger - 1,
William Byron - 6, Ricky Stenhouse - 1, Shane VanGisbergen - 1
Toyota - Denny Hamlin -3, Martins Truex - 3, Christopher Bell - 2, Tyler Reddick - 2
Ford - Ryan Blaney - 3, Chris Buescher - 3, Joey Logano - 1, Michael McDowell - 1
6. Drivers who won in 2022 and didn't win in 2023. ( 9 )
#2 Austin Cindric, #3 Austin Dillon, #4 Kevin Harvick, #9 Chase Elliott, #14 Chase Briscoe
#23 Bubba Wallace, #43 Erik Jones, #48 Alex Bowman, #99 Daniel Suarez
7. Two drivers won 2 consecutive races!
William Byron - Las Vegas1, Phoenix1 Chris Buescher - Richmond2, Michigan
8. 3rd consecutive season that at least 15 drivers won a race. (There were 15 this year.)
9. William Byron & Martin Truex shared the point lead twice this season. (Darlington2, Texas2)
9. Corie Lajoie was biggest mover the most this season. ( 5X )
10. Ty Gibbs, Denny Hamlin were biggest droppers the most. ( 4X )
11. Ty Dillon was the best "under $1.0" the most. (9X) Carson Hocevar was 2nd. ( 5X )
12. Ross Chastain was worst over $5.0 the most. (5X) Ryan Blaney, Christpher Bell, Joey Logano were next. ( 4X )
13. There were 3 races with more than one Biggest Mover.
Las Vegas1 (Justin Haley, Tyler Reddick), Darlington (Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott),
Watkins Glen (Ryan Blaney, Todd Gilliland)
14. There was 1 race with more than one Biggest Dropper.
Darlington2 - Denny Hamlin, Michael McDowell
15. All 4 teams at Stewart Haas Racing went winless this season. The first time in its 15 year existence.
STAGE POINTS
1. There are a total of 4015 stage points.
Chevy earned 1521 points. Toyota earned 1301 points. Fords earned 1166 points. No points drivers earned 27 points.
2. William Byron earned most stage points of all drivers. 312 points. (He didn't earn stage points in 7 races.)
Denny Hamlin earned most stage points for Toyotas. 311 points. (He didn't earn stage points in 8 races.)
Ryan Blaney earned most stage points for Fords. 217 points. (He didn't earn stage points in 17 races.)
3. Of the drivers listed as "0" but earned stage points... Shane VanGisbergen earned the most. 17 points
4. Of the drivers who ran full time in 2023, each driver earned stage points. Harrison Burton earned the least. 6 points.
2nd and 3rd earners
Chevy..........Kyle Larson - 287 points (same points as last year) Ross Chastain - 204 points.
Ford...........Brad Keselowski - 214 points Kevin Harvick - 158 points.
Toyota........Christopher Bell - 211 points Tyler Reddick - 260 points.
0 pointers....Carson Hocevar 4 points Jensen Button 1 point
5. There were 3 drivers who missed just one race in the final 10 in getting stage points.
Christopher Bell (Talladega2) Brad Keselowski (ChicagoSC), Kyle Larson (Martinmsville2)
6. Martin Truex received stage points in 15 consecutive races. Best of all drivers.
7. William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick received stage points in 11 consecutive races. 2nd & 3rd best of all drivers.
8. Chase Elliott, Ross Chastain received stage points in 9 consecutive races. 4th best of all drivers.
9. Kyle Larson received stage points in 8 consecutive races. He rounds the top 5 best stage point earners.
TRACK Info
1. In 3 races, the pass for the win came on the final lap. In 9 races, the pass for the win came in the final 2 laps.
2. Talladega had 70 lead changes. The most of any race this season. Actually, the most of any race since 2011!
3. Qualifying was rained out at 4 tracks. California, Dover, Charlotte1, Richmond1
4. There was only one race this season that was postponed to the following day. Loudon.
5. There were two races that were shortened on account of rain. ChicagoSC, Atlanta2
6. 10 races ended in OT.
7. COTA had 3 OTs. Most of any race.
8. 17 races had 8 or more cautions. 27 races had at least 5 cautions.
9. Charlotte2 had the most cautions - 16.
I hope you enjoyed the stats for 2023.
And hope to see you next season for the 2024 NGFL season.
And that will be it!