by JORGE A. MONDACA, FOXSports.com

Updated: May 13, 2008, 12:02 PM EST 81 comments

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Other times, like in this weekend's Sprint Cup Series Dodge Challenger 500 event at Darlington Raceway, one driver manages to embarrass the field so much — and statistics only help reinforce the butt-kickin' that took place.

So what happened over the weekend? Perhaps more important, what does it all mean? Check out some of the most telling statistics and get a better feel for the on-track action from Darlington.

17.0

What it is: Percentage of fastest laps set by Kyle Busch in the Dodge Challenger 500.

The story it tells: No matter what you may think about "Wild Thing" (one look at the comments on any story dealing with Busch and it is easy to perceive the vitriol fans feel toward the 23-year-old), there's no denying that he and his No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing team have put everything together and become the best race team on the track.

The proof? Just look at his pace.

From beginning to end on Saturday night, Busch kept putting up impressive lap speeds, leading to his high number of fast laps under green flag conditions (56), his top average green flag lap speed (165.835 mph), his most laps led mark (169) and his new track record for average race speed (140.350 mph)

Some fans — Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans in particular after that late-race crash at Richmond — badly want to dismiss Busch's recent performance as nothing more than racing luck. Unfortunately for them, numbers clearly show that Busch is "the driver too tough to tame."

3.842, 4.510, 7.518

What it is: Average running positions for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson respectively in Saturday night's Dodge Challenger 500.

The story it tells: Even though Busch has been the best in the field in recent races, race fans shouldn't be concerned that it means the rest of this year will simply be a coronation ceremony for him.

After several weeks of ho-hum performances, the three major players at Hendrick Motorsports flexed their muscles and proved that they are back on their game.

Starting second, third and eighth respectively, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon were all able to battle at the front of the field Saturday night. And actually, Dale Jr. (3.842) and Gordon's (4.510) average running position were better than that of the race winner's.

Don't look now, but I think the Hendrick dragon is finally waking up this season.

5

What it is: Number of positions improved by Travis Kvapil over the last 37 laps Saturday, the most for any driver.

The story it tells: Travis Kvapil and his Yates Racing teammate David Gilliland may not get much fanfare, but they are certainly showing that there is still a spot for the little guys in the sport.

On Saturday night, Kvapil jumped from 13th over the last 10 percent of the race to finish eighth — his third top 10 of the season, and second in the last three races. The late race pickup also helped the driver of the No. 28 jump to 18th in the standings — ahead of past NASCAR Cup champions Bobby Labonte, Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch amongst others.

For his part, Gilliland had a strong 20th-place result which helps him solidify his 21st place spot in the standings.

Yes, the economy is tough right now, but it's baffling that this organization has struggled to find sponsorship while other high-profile drivers — with worse results this year — have had no problems whatsoever.

1

What it is: Number of tracks on the Sprint Cup schedule where Tony Stewart has yet to visit Victory Lane.

The story it tells: At the beginning of the 2008 NASCAR season, Smoke had won at all but four of the 22 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tracks — Auto Club Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Darlington Raceway. But following this weekend, there's only one track left ...

... that's if you count the Nationwide Series in the equation.

While Stewart has yet to break through in the win column this season in Cup competition, he scratched off another track from his list and continued Joe Gibbs Racing's dominance of the Nationwide Series by leading 90 laps en route to victory Friday night at Darlington.

"Thanks to (crew chief) Dave (Rogers) and the guys on the 20 car on the Nationwide side, we've conquered three of those four and should've won the fifth one, but I'm not going to be greedy," Stewart said. "You get four this year and three at tracks that I haven't won at. With the rich heritage and history here at Darlington — to win here and be the first guy to win after they resurfaced it. It's a feeling that's hard to describe. It's just cool to win at Darlington."

Unfortunately, a Lap 2 accident did not allow Stewart to make a serious charge for victory in the Sprint Cup race even though he clearly had a top car — much like at Talladega a few weeks back.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the sole track missing on Stewart's list of career wins.

Odds and ends

3664 of 3664: Jeff Burton's incredible streak continued at Darlington Raceway as he completed every lap in competition on his way to a top-10 finish, his seventh of the season. Through 11 races this season, he is the only driver to have finished every race on the lead lap.

8.656: Kyle Busch's average running position this year. Second place? Dale Earnhardt Jr. (9.189)

35: Number of lead changes in Saturday night's Cup race, tied for second most in track history.

840: Green flag passes on Saturday night.