Talladega Superspeedway

Track Facts

Opened: 1969  Location: Talladega, Alabama  First NASCAR Cup Series race:  September 14, 1969 (Richard Brickhouse, winner)  Qualifying Record: Bill Elliott, Ford; 212.809 mph (44.998 seconds), April 30, 1987  Race Record: Mark Martin, Ford; 188.354 mph (2:39:18), May 10, 1997  Distance: 2.66 miles  Front Stretch: 4,300 feet  Back Stretch: 4,000 feet  Banking in Turns 1-4: 33 degrees  Banking in Trioval: 18 degrees  Banking on Back Stretch: 2 degrees  Miles/laps: 500 miles/188 laps  Grandstand Seats: 143,000  Tickets: 256-362-7223  Website: www.talladegasuperseedway.com

Did You Know?  It would take 692 pit stops for a typical NASCAR Nextel Cup Series car with the 13-gallon fuel cell used at Talladega to use all of the approximately 9,000 gallons of Pepsi products dispensed at concessions during a single race weekend.  How much beer?  I'll research and find out that little "Tidbit" for the Fall race on October 8th at 2:30 p.m.

Last Year (Spring Race):  For the fourth time in the last five restrictor-plate races Jeff Gordon held off any and all challengers to secure his place as top dog on both plate tracks - Daytona and Talladega - by winning the Aaron's 499 on May 1st.

Dale Earnhardt has the most wins (10), most top fives (23) and most top 10's (27) of any driver.  Dale Earnhardt Jr. is second with five wins in 12 races.  He also has seven top fives and eight top 10's.

2006 Forecast:  Despite a lack of consistency by Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. during 2005 there is no denying they still know what it takes to get around the restrictor-plate tracks - the only thing preventing them from finishing up front is being in the wrong place at the wrong time for the "Big One".  Speaking of the "Big One", it can happen anywhere at anytime.  Drivers depend on each other not to make a mistake, however history shows somebody will screw up.  A lot of times, the guy who screws up gets away with it and comes through unscathed. 

Who To Look At:  Drivers to take a look at are the usual gang of Hendrick Drivers & DEI Drivers.  With that said, two Hendrick drivers Jimmie Johnson & Jeff Gordon know how to get it done on restrictor-plate tracks.  As well as DEI driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.   Tony Stewart is one driver without a win at Talladega, but has 7 top fives, and 9 top 10's in 14 races.  Others to watch include Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray, Dale Jarrett, and Bobby Labonte.  Drivers that do not rank in the Top 10 in average finish, but could certainly have a good run include Jeff Burton, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Elliott Sadler, Matt Kenseth and Greg Biffle.  If your looking for  rookie driver(s) for your roster, look no further than Martin Truex Jr. & Clint Bowyer. 

Tracking the Top 10 

Best active drivers at Talladega on average finish (minimum of four starts)

Driver                 Races   Avg. Finish   Wins  Top 5s   Top 10s  DNF  Avg Start  Poles

Dale Earnhardt Jr   12          10.7            5        7            8         2         14.2        0

Tony Stewart         14          11.9            0        7            9         2         17.3        0

Kurt Busch            10          12.0            0        4            7         1         21.1        0

Kevin Harvick         10          13.5            0        3            5         0         16.5        1

Bill Elliott               54          14.7            2       10          22       10         12.7        8

Jeff Gordon            26           15.2           4        11         14         6          11.3       0

Mark Martin           40           15.2           2        10          21        5          14.1       2

Jamie McMurray      7           16.0           0         1            2         0          15.0       0

Dale Jarrett            38           16.1           2        11          16        8          15.7       0

Bobby Labonte       26           16.3           1         6           10        6          17.4       1

Okay, there it is.  Good Luck to ALL my fellow Thread Headed Strangers and may your team(s) be "Bad Fast" and Stay Out Of Trouble.  As Always, Peace... "Da Nut".