Connect with us

NASCAR Cup Series

Podium Preview: YellaWood 500 at Talladega

Cal Naughton Jr. aka Chase Briscoe rounds his way ahead of the YellaWood 500 at Talladega. (Photo: Teresa Bennink | The Podium Finish)

LINCOLN, Ala. — For the younger folks, the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway brings sudden reminders of a certain 2006 comedy film with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Then, for those who have followed NASCAR for at least the past 30 years, this race weekend distinguishes the brave from the fearful.

Since 1969, this race has tested the greats with its 33 degrees of banking in the corners and 16.5 degrees of banking in the tri-oval. Its long straights certainly evoke speed and aggression, particularly down the “Alabama Gang” superstretch measured at 4,000 feet.

Consider that the drivers will run three to sometimes four wide at about 190 mph in a pack and it does not take much to marvel at the logistics of this 188-lap race. With the big packs comes the threat of the dreaded “Big One” or the grinding, multi-car accident that leaves a path of destruction in its wake.

Still, the rewards outweigh the risk for those unafraid to mix it up toward the front of the field while understanding the draft. Although so few claim to see the draft like the late Dale Earnhardt, there have been other greats like Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. who have conquered Talladega.

As Sunday’s race looms, Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace hope for great afternoons at the 2.66-mile superspeedway. For these four, “The World’s Fastest Superspeedway” is their best hopes to control their destiny ahead of next week’s Charlotte ROVAL race weekend.

Last year, Chase Elliott punched his ticket into the Round of 8 with a well timed Talladega victory with a hardy push from Erik Jones. Now, Elliott hopes to replicate this feat to find some kind of positive in an otherwise tough season.

Once the NASCAR official unfurls the green flag on race day, it is anyone’s guess as to who will prevail in this year’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega. For the time being, come along for the ride this and each race weekend with Podium Preview.

This weekend, Cody ShoppeJasmine SharpeKobe LambethLuis Torres and yours truly consider the importance of starting the Round of 12 off on a strong note at Texas plus who stands out as a contender for Sunday’s race.

Podium Perspectives
Question 1

William Byron does not have to worry about his fate in the YellaWood 500 at Talladega. (Photo: Teresa Bennink | The Podium Finish)

As the final oval race of the Round of 12, how pivotal is Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in terms of avoiding having one’s fate decided at the Charlotte ROVAL?

Torres : It’s anybody’s game at Talladega, but more so if you’re already in a hole after Texas. Like I’ve said last week, those who didn’t fare too well will have a tough time getting far.

However, a big wreck which you can still expect, can put somebody back in the hunt or dash their hopes completely. 

This is the case for Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney, who had trouble last Sunday. Both are really good at Talladega, but a wreck can all but seal their fate of not making it into the Round of 8. A strong result is paramount, otherwise, they’re done for.

Lambeth : Whenever NASCAR comes to a track like Talladega Superspeedway, the drivers cannot always control their own destiny. Whether you run at the front, middle or back of the pack, trouble can find you anywhere in a superspeedway race. 

The ultimate goal is to simply survive Talladega and head to the Round of 12 elimination race at Charlotte in a good enough position that does not put you in a must-win situation. Talladega is a nerve-racking experience and each driver wants to get out of Alabama unscathed, but that is going to be quite a challenge, given the unpredictable nature of this place.

Question 2

Kyle Larson would love to have a good day at Talladega. (Photo: Teresa Bennink | The Podium Finish)

Of the drivers who experienced problems at Texas, who is most likely to succeed and prosper on Sunday at Talladega?

Sharpe : This is the true “million-dollar” question. Last week, Kyle Busch hit the wall on Lap 74, driving backwards to make it back to pit road. He ended up in 34th, unable to repair the car under the DVP rules. He’s shown his incredible driving finesse at plate tracks so many times over the years, and in so many generations of vehicles that I feel that race fans should keep a close eye on him for Sunday afternoon.

Tiongson : As strange as it may sound, fate and destiny can be controlled a bit better here versus next Sunday at the Charlotte ROVAL. At Talladega, yes, it is basically a high speed chess match and thriller each lap. However, having the willingness to be aggressive and smart matters more here versus the Charlotte ROVAL where going over the line can mean trouble for Round of 8 prospects.

Then again, a conservative approach at Talladega is not ideal either. Kyle Larson finished inside the top 20 at Talladega figuring he had enough of a cushion to advance into the Round of 8. Instead, he proceeds to the Charlotte ROVAL with a subpar run and a critical unforced error with the wall that ruined his day and hopes.

This is a very important race for Larson, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace. If they can manage to gain 20 to 25 points on their nearest competitors, it might just give a bit of breathing room when they return home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. In this case, I think Larson has the most to gain if he can succeed at Talladega.

With two laps around Talladega, let us all take a deep breath and reflect to last Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway. Let us look at the race and points reports from the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas, Race No. 29 of 36 comprising this year’s NASCAR Cup Series season!

Torres and Sharpe captured Texas triumphs.

Torres extends his points lead after four races in this year’s Playoffs.

Next, here is a look at the top 10 starters for the YellaWood 500 at Talladega!
Row 1 – Aric Almirola and Joey Logano

(Photo: Teresa Bennink | The Podium Finish)

Row 2 – Chase Briscoe and Kyle Larson

(Photo: Teresa Bennink | The Podium Finish)

Row 3 – Brad Keselowski and Riley Herbst

(Photo: Teresa Bennink | The Podium Finish)

Row 4 – Austin Cindric and William Byron

(Photo: Teresa Bennink | The Podium Finish)

Row 5 – Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney

(Photo: Teresa Bennink | The Podium Finish)

Now, here is a look at our picks for the YellaWood 500 at Talladega!

It seems like an almost Ford Performance sweep for the YellaWood 500 at Talladega. (Photo: Teresa Bennink | The Podium Finish)

Torres : As always, it’s anybody’s game at Talladega. If there’s going to be a race where one man will finally break through in victory lane in 2023, Brad Keselowski is that man. He’s come up short several times since running things at RFK Racing. Including the last superspeedway race at Daytona in August. This time, luck will be on BK’s side and prove that he’s still one tough cookie to deal with in Alabama.

Lambeth : With the No. 14 team being able to relax this weekend playing the role of Cal Naughton Jr. from Talladega Nights, I think this fun atmosphere will put Chase Briscoe at ease and fight his way to Victory Lane in a huge boost of morale at Talladega!

Tiongson : I have a good feeling that Chris Buescher and his No. 17 RFK Racing efforts succeed on Sunday. This program has been fast and strong at the superspeedways. Look for Buescher to nab his fourth win of 2023 at Talladega.

Shoppe : Denny Hamlin is very good at avoiding trouble at speedway races. That will be the name of the game today in talladega. The crowd will boo loudly as Hamlin will celebrate on the frontstretch this afternoon!

Sisoler : After dealing with several issues last week, Joey Logano should have a decent shot of reclaiming some confidence and glory at the fabled plate track.

We’re ready for some racing. How about you? What do you think are the biggest storylines heading into the race? Who are your favorites to win? Tweet us now @ThePodiumFinish and tell us now!

Thanks as always to the TPF team for their amazing efforts this week as we celebrate our 15th anniversary of operations!

The opinions and thoughts expressed in Podium Preview are solely of the authors. They do not reflect any organizations affiliated with the participants and author outside of TPF. This weekly feature is strictly for entertainment purposes. Ultimately, they are not indicative of TPF, the organization and its staff.

Lastly, if you are in the hunt for the latest and greatest Lionel Racing NASCAR die-cast cars, head on over to Spoiler Diecast! If you spend $20 or more to purchase in-stock and/or preorder items, you will save 5% off your order total and get free shipping with promo code “TPF!”

Rob Tiongson is a sports writer and editor originally from the Boston area and resides in the Austin, Texas, area. Tiongson has covered motorsports series like NASCAR and INDYCAR since 2008 and NHRA since 2013. Most recently, Tiongson is covering professional basketball, mainly the WNBA, and women's college basketball. While writing and editing for The Podium Finish, Tiongson currently seeks for a long-term sportswriting and sports content creating career. Tiongson enjoys editing and writing articles and features, as well as photography. Moreover, he enjoys time with his family and friends, traveling, cooking, working out and being a fun uncle or "funcle" to his nephew, niece and cat. Tiongson is an alum of Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and St. Bonaventure University's renowned Jandoli School of Communication with a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in NASCAR Cup Series