Dale Earnhardt Jr Goes for First Win of Season at ‘Dega

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

No active driver boasts more wins at Talladega Superspeedway wins than Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s six.

In fact, only one competitor claims more victories at the 2.66-mile behemoth overall – his father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt, who amassed ten victories there. Continue reading

Can Kyle Larson Sustain the Run he’s On?

Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Share an Ice Cold Coke Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Kyle Larson is enjoying himself—and with good reason.

With a victory from the pole at Auto Club Speedway (Fontana, Calif.) and four second-place finishes in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series this season, the driver of the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet has posted an average finish of 6.4 through nine races. Continue reading

Joey Logano: A Win without Benefits is Still a Win

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Four days after Joey Logano took the checkered flag at Richmond International Raceway, his victory at the 0.75-mile short track lost much of its luster.

Disappointed by a penalty that took away the primary benefits of winning the race, Logano nevertheless was forthright in confronting the situation head-on when he talked to reporters on Friday morning at Talladega Superspeedway. Continue reading

Finish Line Placement Requires Different Timing at Talladega

Brennan Poole, driver of the #48 DC Solar Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

There are several marked differences between Talladega Superspeedway and its sister restrictor-plate track, Daytona International Speedway.

For one thing, Daytona has tighter corners. Handling is more or an issue at the Birthplace of Speed. At Daytona, driving double-file through the corners is about all most drivers care to risk, whereas at Talladega, with its sweeping turns and higher banking, three-and four-wide is possible without calamity. Continue reading

Wallace Tries to Continue Strong Start at Talladega

Darrell Wallace Jr., driver of the #6 Globe Life Ford, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Tim Bradbury/Getty Images

Darrell Wallace Jr. really likes the number six.

One, he’s the No. 6 Ford driver. Two, he’s finished sixth in six of his eight starts in the NASCAR XFINITY Series this season. Three, he’s finished sixth in his last two races at Talladega Superspeedway – the site of Saturday’s Sparks Energy 300 – where Wallace will attempt to post his first top-five result of the season. Continue reading