Fast Forward ~ The Aaron's 499 At Talladega Fantasy Race Picks And Preview
“The future is like a corridor into which we can see only by the light coming from behind.”
–Edward Weyer, Jr.
The Track: Talladega SuperSpeedway
Season Race #: 10 of 36 (05-04-14)
Track Size: 2.66-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 33 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 33 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 16.5-18 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 4300 feet
Backstretch Length: 4000 feet
Race Length: 188 laps / 500.08 miles
The Race: The Aaron’s 499
188 Laps/ 500.08 Miles
Defending Champion: David Ragan, 148.729 MPH
Most recent winner: Jamie McMurray, 178.495 MPH
Track Record: Mark Martin, 188.354 MPH- May 1997
Race Record: Mark Martin, 188.354 MPH- May 1997
Qualifying record: (No Plate/Plate)
Bill Elliott/Bill Elliott
212.809/199.388 MPH
April 1987/May 1990
TV: FOX, 1:00 PM EST
The History:
May 23, 1968-Construction begins on the Alabama International Motor Speedway
September 14, 1969-Richard Brickhouse wins the first race at the track
July 1986-Bobby Hillin, Jr becomes the youngest winner at the track at 22 years, 1 month, 22 days.
April 1987-Bill Elliott sets a NASCAR qualifying record of 212.809 MPH.
1989-Name changed to Talladega Superspeedway
May 1991-Harry Gant becomes the oldest driver to win at the track at 51 years, 3 months, 26 days.
April 21, 2002-Jimmie Johnson becomes the youngest pole winner at the track at 26 years, 7 months, 4 days.
October 22, 2011-Mark Martin becomes the oldest pole winner at the track at 52 years, 9 months, 14 days.
The Contenders:
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Talladega:
#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr..........94.7
#20-Matt Kenseth..................91.6
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr............91.5
Jeff Burton..............................89.1
#78-Kurt Busch.......................87.4
#55-Brian Vickers...................87.3
#48-Jimmie Johnson..............85.1
#2-Brad Keselowski................84.4
#34-David Ragan....................84.2
#43-Aric Almirola...................83.7
Note: Compiled from 2005-2013 races among active
drivers at Talladega SuperSpeedway
The Picks:
Before we get to this week’s picks, let’s review how everyone did at Richmond… A few of us managed to gain some points on our Ghost Players, but they still lead, and we need more wins!
Player |
Selection |
Race Pts |
Previous Pts |
Total Pts |
Behind |
Wins |
DNFs |
Mr. Winner |
4 |
34 |
364 |
398 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Mr. Pole |
42 |
28 |
361 |
389 |
-9 |
2 |
0 |
Mr. Seven |
88 |
38 |
337 |
375 |
-23 |
0 |
0 |
PattyKay Lilley |
18 |
41 |
309 |
350 |
-48 |
1 |
0 |
Jim Fitzgerald |
20 |
40 |
305 |
345 |
-53 |
0 |
0 |
Brian Marchetti |
18 |
41 |
301 |
342 |
-56 |
0 |
0 |
Vivian |
18 |
41 |
300 |
341 |
-57 |
2 |
2 |
Robyn Vandenberg |
5 |
30 |
287 |
317 |
-81 |
1 |
0 |
Nate |
11 |
22 |
284 |
306 |
-92 |
0 |
1 |
Barbara |
15 |
1 |
304 |
305 |
-93 |
1 |
2 |
Alabama Fitz |
15 |
1 |
289 |
290 |
-108 |
1 |
1 |
Darrell |
11 |
22 |
258 |
280 |
-118 |
0 |
2 |
Kevin Abraham |
4 |
34 |
246 |
280 |
-118 |
0 |
1 |
Here are our picks for Sunday’s race at Talladega…
Kevin Abraham: Welcome to the great roulette wheel that is Talladega. This week anyone who qualifies for the race has a shot at winning the race. There are a few drivers I looked at based on past history. Earnhardt Jr., Bowyer, Johnson, and McMurray are drivers that seem to rise to the occasion at this track along with Harvick and Kenseth. All this goes out the window if they are caught up in ' The Big One' however. For this week, since I do not see all getting away unscathed, I need to think more on my pick. I am also looking at non-traditional picks like David Ragan, David Gilliland, Casey Mears, and Michael Waltrip (if he enters this race) as they run well at this track as well. Fitz, please do me a favor and do not pick my driver.
Robyn Vandenberg: Well, Kevin’s on the fence about his pick, but I’m not. My pick hasn't won a race all season...yet. No one is worried, though. Why? His season starts at Talladega. I’m taking Jimmie Johnson to win this weekend.
PattyKay Lilley: I said I was going to wait until after Fitz put his infamous Kiss of Death on some poor soul, but he's so dang slow the race might be over before he gets around to picking... and he still wouldn't have the winner. Remember Fitz, "We kid because we care." Kevin... Michael Waltrip?? I wouldn't pick him if he were driving a stolen car with the Sheriff of Maricopa County hot on his tail. For sure, he’d park it to do a Grid Walk. Nope, I'm riding with a guy that really can't be ignored. He's got the Mo, being 2nd in points and he's WAY overdue for a win. He's smart and smooth and has led by far the most laps at Talladega over the last ten years. Mama's ridin' with Matt Kenseth this week... before Jim jumps in and claims him, then says I copied his pick. Go get your own ride Jim. Matt the Brat is my guy!
Jim Fitzgerald: As Kevin said, this place, all 2.66 miles of it, produces a lot of first time winners and surprise winners and it's anyone's race who manages to qualify for it. There's not really any strategy other than push the gas and find a friend. My pick for this week has a lot of friends out there through alliances, and he goes by the name of "Smoke." I'm taking Tony Stewart to win at Talladega.
Kevin Abraham: I am not going to save 15 percent on my auto insurance with this pick, but I am going to send out a shock wave and pick Casey Mears. His restrictor plate record looks like my pick record. They look good until something goes wrong. We also both need a win badly.
Alabama Fitz: I’m not taking anyone’s pick this week, mostly because no one took mine. Being as I can't go much farther down in points and I have a rear view mirror FULL of Darrell and Kevin.....this driver has 8 Top 10s in 16 races at Talladega including two wins. I'm riding with Clint Bowyer again this week.
Brian Marchetti: I'm going to take the gamble, and it's way against my better judgment, but I'll ride with David Ragan and see if his car and his team want it bad enough. He can run fast on this track, everyone already knows that. The question is will he be able to avoid the wrecks, and beat the best? The same could be said for Earnhardt Jr., in that he is another driver who in theory, could be expected to win every race here.
Now, let’s see what our fans have to say about their picks for the Talladega race!
Nate: I have to go with #88 for Talladega...it seems Jr. always does well on these plate tracks. He won the last one!
Barbara: No sense in mulling this over and over or attempting logic. I’m going for the long shot and putting my pick on #20 Matt Kenseth. Sure can’t do any worse than last week!
Vivian: The Aaron's 499 at Talladega will be another hold my breath race with hopes that it will end well and there will not be a major accident. When all is said and done, I will put my money on "the one, the only - Dale Earnhardt, Jr." to take the checkered flag first!
Darrell: My pick for this week is Kevin Harvick. I feel he will work the best with Stewart, but has the edge. Stewart will push him to the win, I believe.
There you have it! Information for the race, the top contenders, and the official picks. We hope our picks have helped you with yours, and you score excellently. We’ll see how that all works out when we come back next week to talk about Kansas, but until then, keep the shiny side up!
Our Picks For This Week!
Kevin Abraham |
Alabama Fitz |
Jim Fitzgerald |
PattyKay Lilley |
Brian Marchetti |
Robyn Vandenberg |
Darrell |
Nate |
Who is YOUR pick to win this week?
Correctly choose the winner before the green flag drops on Sunday, and you'll be entered into a drawing to win some racing stuff!