When Cup drivers are asked about how important it is to open the Round of 12 with a good run, they are usually quick to mention the track after this weekend in Kansas.
The iconic 2.66-mile superspeedway called Talladega has a well-earned reputation of being the embodiment of chaos and unpredictability. Many title hopefuls are aiming to win this weekend in Kansas, or at least pad their points total before heading to Talladega in seven days.
Among them is Kansas pole-sitter Christopher Bell, the only driver among the final Championship 4 in both years of the Next Gen era. This is his third consecutive pole at Kansas, but he has not yet found Victory Lane at the 1.5-mile oval.
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, Rheem Toyota Camry
Photo by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images
His plan to avoid sweating at Talladega is simple: “Win this week … There really is no hiding, although it does feel like the fall Talladega race has been a lot calmer than the spring race the last couple years. I don’t know. Superspeedway racing, I’ve been very vocal, it’s not my favorite style of racing and that puts a lot of emphasis on this race tomorrow to try to get some stage points. Obviously, winning would be ideal, but certainly going to Talladega with a big cushion is our number one goal.”
There has already been one drafting track in the playoffs, which Denny Hamlin approached with a unique strategy. At Atlanta, he forfeited the opportunity to score stage points, instead running in the back for the majority of the race, hoping to avoid the wrecks. Unfortunately, the ‘big one’ didn’t happen until the final lap — and Hamlin himself was collected in it.
Despite this setback and a Lap 1 wreck at The Glen, Hamlin dragged himself back above the cut-line in the nick of time at Bristol. So, will he employ the same strategy next weekend? Much like his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Hamlin is hoping to avoid that discussion altogether.
“You could still take the approach, but truthfully, we’re going to just try to win this weekend and then not have to worry about numbers,” said Hamlin. “But certainly, we’re going to approach these three races and get all we can and live with the result no matter what it is. We can’t control the things we can’t control, but if we just do the best that we can we feel pretty confident.”
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