2012 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

Originally published on May 7, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, November 18th, 2012, the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Brad Keselowski defeating Cint Bowyer by 39 points to win the 64th championship in Cup Series history. It was the first (and, as of this writing, only) Cup Series championship for Keselowski. Greg Biffle claimed the regular season championship.

The 2012 Daytona 500 was won by Matt Kenseth, the second of two Daytona 500 victories, while Denny Hamlin led the most laps with 57.

2012 playoff results

12. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. (-155 points)

11. #56 Martin Truex Jr. (-101)

10. #24 Jeff Gordon (-97)

9. #14 Tony Stewart (-89)

8. #29 Kevin Harvick (-79)

7. #17 Matt Kenseth (-76)

6. #11 Denny Hamlin (-71)

5. #16 Greg Biffle (-68)

Biffle claimed fifth as he took two victories, 12 top-fives and 21 top-10s for an average finish of 10.2. Biffle also led the most laps in one start.

4. #5 Kasey Kahne (-55)

Kahne took fourth in points with a pair of wins, 12 top-fives and 19 top-10s, getting an average finish of 13.1.

3. #48 Jimmie Johnson (-40)

Johnson took third with five wins, 18 top-fives and 24 top-10s to get an average finish of 11.2, while leading the most laps in eight races.

2. #15 Clint Bowyer (-39)

Bowyer claimed the runner-up spot with three wins, 10 top-fives and 23 top-10s, taking an average finish of 10.9. Bowyer led the most laps in one race.

1. #2 Brad Keselowski

Keselowski got the championship win as he had five victories, 13 top-fives and 23 top-10s for an average finish of 10.1, while leading the most laps in two races.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

 

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/2012/W