The second race in the second round of the NASCAR Playoffs is one that most consider to be a “Wild Card” race. This weekend is the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
When NASCAR races at Talladega there is an uneasy feeling the drivers all feel to avoid the “Big One.” That term in stock car racing refers to when a wreck happens on the track that collects a large number of cars. With racing just inches apart among huge groups of cars at speeds approaching and surpassing 200 MPH, one mistake by a driver can cause an accident that includes double digit numbers of cars. If a Playoff driver gets involved in one of those accidents it could make advancing to next round a more daunting task.
That is why it is more important for 11 of the 12 drivers currently in contention for the championship to avoid the “Big One” so that they can get a “Big One.” The “Big One” they hope to get is the win. That win automatically advances them to the next round of the Playoffs. The reason there are 11 drivers wanting that win is because one driver already got a “Big One” last week. Kurt Busch clinched his spot in the next round at Las Vegas.
Below is the way the Playoff Standings look heading to this weekend’s race at Talladega.
Here is what the drivers in championship contention and not in contention will be facing equally in this weekend’s race.
Talladega Superspeedway
Track Size: 2.66-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 33 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 33 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 16.5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 4,300 feet
Backstretch Length: 4,000 feet
YellaWood 500 Data
Season Race #: 31 of 36 (10-04-20)
Playoff Race #: 5 of 10
Race Length: 188 laps / 500 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 60 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 68 laps
Here is a look at what active drivers have performed well during their Cup Series careers at Talladega.
Top 10 Talladega Driver Ratings
Ryan Blaney…………………………. 91.7
Joey Logano……………………….. 91.1
Kurt Busch………………………….. 90.3
Chase Elliott ……………………….. 90.3
Brad Keselowski………………….. 89.5
Jimmie Johnson…………………….. 86.5
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. ………………. 86.2
Matt Kenseth………………………… 85.3
John H. Nemechek………………… 84.1
Denny Hamlin………………………. 83.8
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2020 races (31 total) among active drivers at Talladega Superspeedway.
Note: Driver names in red are currently in championship contention in Playoffs.
Active Drivers with Talladega Win(s)
Brad Keselowski – 5 Wins
Joey Logano – 3 Wins
Ryan Blaney – 2 Wins
Clint Bowyer – 2 Wins
Jimmie Johnson – 2 Wins
Aric Almirola – 1 Win
Chase Elliott – 1 Win
Denny Hamlin – 1 Win
Kevin Harvick – 1 Win
Kyle Busch – 1 Win
Matt Kenseth – 1 Win
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 1 Win
Note: Driver names in red are currently in championship contention in Playoffs.
If a non-contender manages to win this weekend it eliminates one “Golden Ticket” to the next round for playoff drivers.
If a “Big One” collects playoff drivers at the top of the list it could completely change the Playoff Standings.
I for one am looking forward to seeing how things play out this weekend.
The YellaWood 500 will get started at 1 PM central time (2 PM eastern time) this Sunday, October 4th at Talladega Superspeedway.
By: Buck Stevens
