Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers often get talked about in terms of their skill set at the high-speed restrictor-plate tracks.

But the truth is, winning on short tracks is every bit as difficult, if not more so.

With the short-track season set to begin Sunday at Martinsville Speedway with the running of the STP 500 (coverage starts at 12:30 p.m. ET on FS1), here’s a fairly mind-boggling statistic: Just 12 of the 38 drivers entered in the race have ever won a short-track race in NASCAR’s top division. Here they all are.

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In 2012, Newman famously stole a victory at Martinsville when Clint Bowyer wrecked leaders Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson on a green-white-checkers restart. For his career, Newman has led 771 laps at short tracks.

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Both of Stewart-Haas Racing’s newest driver’s short-track victories came at Richmond International Raceway. All told, Bowyer has been on point for 841 laps at short tracks.

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Way back in 2005, Kahne drove one of Ray Evernham’s Dodges to his first career victory at Richmond. Kahne has led 853 laps at short tracks.

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Two of Logano’s three short-track wins have come at Bristol Motor Speedway. He has paced the field for 1,071 laps at short tracks.

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With 1,324 short-track laps led, Keselowski has race victories at both Bristol and Richmond.

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An underrated talent on the smaller circuits, Earnhardt has led 2,263 laps at short tracks and has victories at Martinsville, Bristol and Richmond.

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Fully half of Harvick’s short-track victories have come at Richmond, while he’s won twice at Bristol. For his career, Harvick has led 2,540 short-track laps.

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Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kenseth has led 2,973 short-track laps and has four Bristol victories.

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The elder Busch was once almost unstoppable at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he won five cup races. Busch has led 2,332 short-track laps.

Hamlin is a Virginia native, so it’s no surprise that he excels at Richmond (3 victories) and Martinsville (5). He’s led 3,554 laps at short tracks.

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A five-time Bristol winner, Busch also has four victories at Richmond. He also ranks second among active drivers with 3,820 laps led.

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Surprised? Don’t be. The seven-time NASCAR champion has led 4,132 short-track laps, tops among active drivers, and has nine wins at Martinsville,  three more at Richmond and one at Bristol.

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