When the Cup Collection heads to Talladega Superspeedway, fantasy gamers can actually have their decide of the litter. One of the best superspeedway opponents typically discover their option to the entrance, however it doesn‘t imply they’re assured to complete there. It permits you to assume outdoors the field and put drivers in your lineup who may not be there on a frequent foundation. It additionally saves a number of the frontrunners for different venues you realize they are going to be robust at.
Returning to Fastlane this 12 months is my weekly NASCAR 36 for 36 decide, . It‘s a season-long factors battle launched in 2024 the place technique is the first emphasis. With 36 chartered vehicles and 36 races on the 2026 schedule, gamers can select every automobile as soon as at some stage in the season.
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MUST START
Driver: Picks remaining: 7Comment: Reddick has been off to a scorching begin in 2026, changing into simply the fourth driver to win 5 of the opening 9 races in a single season. He kickstarted the marketing campaign with consecutive drafting-track triumphs, and he might grow to be the primary driver since Dale Earnhardt in 1990 to win three straight drafting races.
Driver: Picks remaining: 8Comment: With six Talladega victories, Keselowski is one of the best driver of his era to compete on the 2.66-mile venue. Since his final victory right here 5 years in the past, the 2012 champion has three runner-up finishes within the final 9 races.
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Driver: Picks remaining: 7Comment: Wallace practically secured his second Talladega victory final fall, main on the white flag. He enters the weekend with three straight top-10 finishes right here. He leads the sequence with 9 top-10 finishes at drafting tracks because the begin of 2024.
Brad Keselowski on the grid throughout apply for the NASCAR Cup Collection race at Kansas Speedway on April 18, 2026 in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas.
DRIVERS TO AVOID
Driver: Picks remaining: 10Comment: Don‘t kick a person when he‘s down, however Talladega has been a tricky place for Busch traditionally. Certainly one of his three victories with RCR got here right here in 2023. However within the different 5 visits to Alabama driving the No. 8 automobile, he‘s positioned nineteenth or worse every time.
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Driver: Picks remaining: 9Comment: Amongst a few of Buescher‘s opponents, he’s considered the most effective superspeedway drivers presently within the discipline. Nevertheless, his Talladega numbers depart rather a lot to be desired. He has a trio of top-10 finishes in 21 makes an attempt, with only one end higher than seventeenth (third) in eight Subsequent Gen begins.
Kyle Busch throughout apply for the NASCAR Cup race on April 11, 2026, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee.
SLEEPERS OF THE WEEK
Driver: Picks remaining: 9Comment: With 4 top-10 finishes in eight Talladega begins, Gilliland has been sneaky good right here since debuting in Cup. He practically captured the checkered flag final fall, ending runner-up to Chase Briscoe. His 13.1 common end ranks second better of any observe on the circuit (Indianapolis Motor Speedway).
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Driver: Picks remaining: 10Comment: Protecting it within the Entrance Row household, Smith has been “Regular Eddie” just lately at drafting tracks. The No. 38 automobile received the primary stage of the season within the Daytona 500 and crossed the end line in sixth. Total, he has 4 top-10 finishes within the final 5 drafting races.
Todd Gilliland indicators autographs for NASCAR followers earlier than the NASCAR Cup Collection race at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on February 14, 2026 in Daytona Seashore, Florida.
FEATURED MATCHUPS
Daniel Suárez vs. Ryan PreecePick: PreeceComment: Suárez‘s latest resume of 4 finishes of tenth or higher within the final seven Talladega races is noteworthy. Nevertheless, the Ford camp tends to have a plan and keep it up at superspeedways. Preece practically received this race final 12 months however was later disqualified in post-race inspection.
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Tyler Reddick vs. Ryan Blaney Decide: ReddickComment: Three Talladega victories for Blaney is difficult to wager towards, however it appears silly to ignore any matchup Reddick is a part of. He tallied probably the most factors at superspeedways in 2025, and he has a 40-point buffer via two races in 2026.
Austin Cindric vs. Joey LoganoPick: CindricComment: Logano has led laps in 20 straight drafting-style races, the longest streak of all time. However the finishes are less than par, with one high 10 within the final 13 Talladega races (eight straight outdoors the highest 15). Cindric received right here final April and is arguably one of the best superspeedway competitor of the Subsequent Gen period.
Bubba Wallace vs. Chris BuescherPick: WallaceComment: From above, you’ll be able to inform the place I‘m leaning right here. Wallace has high 10s in 5 of the final seven superspeedway occasions to Buescher‘s three high 10s within the final 5 tries. The No. 17 automobile was swept up in accidents throughout each Talladega races in 2025 whereas Wallace had high 10s in every.
MY LINEUP
Beginning 5: Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Storage decide: Todd Gilliland
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36 FOR 36
Decide: Remark: Races at superspeedways are a major alternative to take a driver off the overwhelmed path. By means of 14 Talladega begins, Dillon has a median end of 16.9, his greatest amongst all tracks. He completed a career-best third right here in 2020 with Germain Racing.
