This week in the schedule marks the official halfway point for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and the numbers tell a tale of excitement and intrigue. The second half promises to bring more drama as a close championship battle continues to unfold between a solid group of rising series stars.
Reed Sorenson holds the coveted standings lead in the driver championship standings, just nine points over Elliott Sadler - the biggest deficit between first and second since roles were reversed after Dover and Sadler’s advantage was 10 points over Sorenson. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is third in the standings, 31 points behind Sorenson, and Justin Allgaier is fourth, 37 points back from the standings leader.
Sorenson has made three starts at Kentucky posting two top-five finishes. Sadler will make his first laps on the 1.5 mile speedway this weekend. Allgaier has made two starts at Kentucky, posting one top five and two top 10s, and has the highest ranked pre-race Driver Rating of the top three drivers in the standings with 112.8.
The first half of the season has delivered some great competition. Below are some highlights:
• Ten different winners in first 17 races and driver championship contenders have won three of the last six races.
• Nine driver championship standings lead changes among six different driver championship contenders through the first 17 races.
• Nine different Coors Light Pole winners.
• An average of 7.5 different leaders per race so far this season.
• Average number of lead changes through the first 17 races this season is 17.47.
• Through the first 17 races the Average Margin of Victory has been under a second (0.945).
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