By David Morgan, Associate Editor
TALLADEGA, Ala. – It appears the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs will be full of wild card races.
Following a chaotic race at Texas last week, the gauntlet continues this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway with Sunday’s running of the Yellawood 500.
Since opening its doors in 1969, the 2.66-mile track just off Interstate 20 in Alabama has been a wild card on the schedule with the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing on full display over the past half-century, leading to some of the most memorable moments in NASCAR history.
Anyone in the field has a chance at the win as long as they can be in the right place at the right time. Sunday’s race should be no different. While there will be favorites, any of the cars still running in the closing laps could pull off the win. There is a reason fans come from far and wide to witness racing at Talladega and that unpredictability is a big part of it.
Given the unpredictability that Talladega brings, even the best laid plans could go awry in a split second, leavings some of the Playoff drivers in dire straits heading into the final race of the round at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL.
Of the 12 Playoff drivers, none are truly safe heading into the 188-lap event, which kicks off at 1:00 pm ET Sunday. Joey Logano currently leads the standings with a 37-point advantage over the cut-off line, but even that might not be enough of a buffer by the time the checkered flag falls at Talladega.
Alex Bowman, who currently sits 12th in the Playoff standings, will have to miss Sunday’s race while he recovers from concussion-like symptoms. Noah Gragson will replace him in the No. 48 Chevrolet.
By the Numbers
What: Yellawood 500, NASCAR Cup Series Race No. 31 of 36
Where: Talladega Superspeedway – Talladega, Alabama (Opened: 1969)
TV/Radio: NBC, 2:00 pm ET / MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Channel 90
Track Size: 2.66-mile tri-oval (Turns banked 33 degrees, Tri-oval banked 16.5 degrees)
Race Length: 188 laps, 500.08 miles
Stage Lengths: 60 laps each (First two stages); 68 laps (Final stage)
April 2022 Race Winner: Ross Chastain – No. 1 Chevrolet (Started 19th, one lap led)
October 2021 Race Winner: Bubba Wallace – No. 23 Toyota (Started 19th, five laps led)
Track Qualifying Record: Bill Elliott – 44.998 seconds, 212.809 mph – April 30, 1987
Top-10 Highest Driver Rating at Talladega:
- Ryan Blaney…
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