The Talladega Superspeedway is known simply as “Dega” and is where NASCAR drivers want to avoid being in the “Big One.” This weekend they possibly will have to avoid multiple “Big Ones” to win the Geico 500.
Dega is a 2.66-mile track that features a wide racing surface. That allows cars to get two, three, four and even five wide while racing. Most of the time the cars end up in a pack of two to three rows of cars all racing just inches apart.
The problem with that is when a car near the front of the pack gets into trouble for whatever reason. That car can get sideways and spin giving the drivers in cars behind them just split seconds to react and avoid being a part of the accident. When another car is caught up in the accident it becomes a domino effect gathering more cars. I have been witness to crashes at Dega that have included over 20 cars before they ended. That is why they call these accidents the “Big One.”
Now factor in the new stage racing that was implemented for the 2017 NASCAR season. We have already seen this new format produce heated battles at the end of each stage to gain those valuable playoff points. This weekend’s 188 lap Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race will have 55 laps for the first two stages and a final stage of 78 laps. When the pack of cars get closer to the end of the first two stages the racing for the bonus points could result in “Big Ones” at the end of each stage. This could be a very interesting and calamity filled Cup Series race indeed.
So, let’s take a look at which active drivers have done well at Dega over their Cup Series careers.
Top 10 Driving Ratings at Talladega Superspeedway
- Chase Elliott – 97.1
- Dale Earnhardt jr. – 92.0
- Kurt Busch – 88.8
- Matt Kenseth – 88.0
- Jimmie Johnson – 87.9
- Brad Keselowski – 87.4
- Denny Hamlin – 84.0
- Joey Logano – 83.8
- Ryan Blaney – 83.5
- Kevin Harvick – 81.5
(NOTE: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2016 races {24 total} among active drivers at Talladega Superspeedway.)
When it comes to winning at Dega, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has upheld the Earnhardt family tradition. Dale Sr. is at the top of the all-time winners list for Talladega with a total of 10 wins at the track. Dale Jr. is at the top of the list of most wins by active drivers with six trips to Victory Lane in the Cup Series. In fact, Dale Jr. is tied with Jeff Gordon on the all-time win list for Dega at second place. A win this weekend would move Dale Jr. to sole possession of second place on that list behind his dad.
Brad Keselowski won this race last year to bring his Dega win total to four. Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray, Clint Bowyer and Joey Logano (winner of the 2016 fall race) all have two wins at Talladega.
Five other active Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers have a single win at the track. That list of one-time Dega winners includes Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, David Regan and Denny Hamlin.
Which cars will be victims of the “Big One”? How many “Big Ones” will there be? How many cars will even finish the race? Which driver will claim the victory? All these questions will be answered when NASCAR waives the green flag at around 1:00 PM central time (2:00 PM eastern time) to start the Geico 500 live from Talladega Superspeedway.
By: Buck Stevens
