There isn’t any place fairly like Talladega Superspeedway. At 2.66-miles in size, it’s the largest oval in NASCAR. The high-banked Alabama circuit has been part of the Cup Collection schedule since 1969, packing the grandstands practically yearly and drawing in above-average viewership numbers.
Whereas beloved by followers, Talladega is dreaded by most drivers, and for good motive. It’s the most intimidating observe in NASCAR, so it is sensible that the ‘The Intimidator’ — Dale Earnhardt — holds a file ten victories on the superspeedway.
However what’s most placing concerning the observe is the way it hasn’t actually modified. I imply, the racing has developed and the amenities have been upgraded, however the feelings round ‘Dega stay the identical: Trepidation, uncertainty, and an expectation for harrowing moments and uncommon alternatives.
Ken Schrader crash
Photograph by: ISC Archives – Getty Photos for NASCAR
A stage taking part in area
Talladega is an equalizer, fully leveling the taking part in area. An unknown driver who struggles to remain on the lead lap most weekends could make a reputation for themselves by successful right here. The finishes are thrilling, the winners shocking, and the motion nearly fixed.
And these items have all the time been true about Talladega. 12 completely different drivers have earned their first-ever NASCAR Cup Collection victory on the famed superspeedway, from Richard Brickhouse within the inaugural 1969 occasion to Bubba Wallace as lately as 2021.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr, JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet wins, beating William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Ford
Photograph by: Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
And but, it has its darker points as nicely. There’s the ever-present risk of catastrophe round each nook with drivers dancing on a knife’s edge from inexperienced flag to checkered flag. It is probably not bodily taxing, however it could be probably the most mentally demanding race on all the schedule. Vehicles flip … usually. Each a part of NASCAR’s security improvements are pushed to the restrict from the construction of their race automobiles to the SAFER Obstacles and even the catch-fencing.
Different tracks have taken on the moniker of ‘wildcard’ and deservedly so. The Charlotte Roval, the Bristol Filth Race, the reconfigured Atlanta Motor Speedway — however Talladega simply takes that time period to the subsequent stage.
Simply take a look at among the latest races as examples of this. Final fall within the coronary heart of the playoffs, it wasn’t a title contender who captured the checkered flag, however Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who earned his first victory of the 12 months in a three-wide picture end. Within the spring of 2024, Michael McDowell was seconds away from capturing a uncommon victory for Entrance Row Motorsports when a uncommon block despatched him spinning throughout the observe. Tyler Reddick, who exited Flip 5 in fifth, drove by the smoke to win as a lot of the area crashed and one driver [Corey LaJoie] flipped the other way up. The picture beneath is of the end to 2012 Talladega race. One late block from Tony Stewart whereas main resulted in a pileup that collected 25 automobiles.
Main crash on the ultimate lap
Photograph by: Getty Photos
The autumn race of 2023 featured one other picture end with Ryan Blaney taking victory whereas the spring race of 2023 noticed Kyle Busch win beneath warning as Bubba Wallace crashed out of the lead. The development continues as you go additional again with practically each race ending in a photograph end or a wild wreck — generally each.
The observe is so broad and so clean that drivers are comfy making daring strikes, generally racing four-by-four, a number of rows deep with out concern. There’s actually nothing else prefer it on the calendar. Even Daytona will get tight as soon as the sphere followers out three-wide, however Talladega can match four-wide motion with ease.
And with Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing snatching up a lot of the wins early within the 2025 season, there’s lots of drivers Talladega as their finest alternative to safe a playoff spot. So, there isn’t any doubt that NASCAR’s final wildcard race will ship one other thriller this weekend, and as for who goes to Victory Lane ultimately … it might actually be any of the 39 entries on Sunday.
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