Fast Forward ~ The GEICO 500 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 #: 32 of 36 (10-19-14)
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 GEICO 500
188 Laps/ 500.08 Miles
Defending Champion: Jamie McMurray, 178.495 MPH
Most recent winner: Denny Hamlin, 152.103 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/Kyle Busch
212.809/200.574 MPH
April 1987/May 2014
TV: ESPN, 2:00 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:
#42-Kyle Larson 94.8
#20-Matt Kenseth 90.9
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 90.3
Jeff Burton 89.1
#41-Kurt Busch 87.1
#55-Brian Vickers 86.9
#48-Jimmie Johnson 85.9
#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 85.0
#11-Denny Hamlin 83.1
#34-David Ragan 82.1
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2014 races (19 total) among active
drivers at Talladega Superspeedway.
The Picks:
Before we get to this week’s picks, let’s review how everyone did at Charlotte… Vivian virtually locked herself into the next round as she selected race winner Kevin Harvick.
Player |
Selection |
Race Pts |
Previous Pts |
Total Pts |
Behind |
Wins |
DNFs |
Kevin Abraham |
22 |
48 |
3048 |
3087 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
Vivian |
4 |
48 |
3009 |
3057 |
-30 |
5 |
2 |
Barbara |
24 |
43 |
3031 |
3074 |
-13 |
1 |
3 |
Mr. Pole |
18 |
40 |
3033 |
3073 |
-14 |
6 |
2 |
Darrell |
42 |
39 |
3031 |
3070 |
-17 |
3 |
2 |
PattyKay Lilley |
2 |
29 |
3033 |
3062 |
-25 |
1 |
1 |
Jim Fitzgerald |
48 |
27 |
3031 |
3058 |
-29 |
2 |
2 |
Brian Marchetti |
18 |
40 |
3004 |
3044 |
-43 |
1 |
3 |
Alabama Fitz |
2 |
29 |
2135 |
2164 |
-923 |
2 |
6 |
Mr. Winner |
2 |
29 |
2134 |
2163 |
-924 |
1 |
3 |
Nate |
48 |
27 |
2102 |
2129 |
-958 |
1 |
3 |
Mr. Seven |
31 |
38 |
1196 |
1234 |
-1853 |
0 |
0 |
Here are our picks for Sunday’s race at Talladega…
Kevin Abraham: I’m taking Jamie McMurray to repeat.
Jim Fitzgerald: Talladega is always fun to try to figure it out...or not, because you can't. The only thing I have is Denny Hamlin kicking major hiney parts in Daytona in February, then winning at Talladega, so that's my pick for this week. It's Denny Hamlin continuing his restrictor plate fun.
Alabama Fitz: I’m riding with the 18 this week. Why not...it'll even my record with him this year....nothing to lose at this point. As for Matt and Brad, here's hoping they don't do anything stupid at this track.
PattyKay Lilley: This is 'Dega and the stage is set. We already know who's mad at whom, though "why" isn't entirely clear on several counts. Interesting picks have been flashing by me, but again, it's 'Dega. The usual rules need not apply... but sometimes do. Crap-shoot is the way it's commonly described, and it surely is fitting. In the Yahoo game, we need to be mindful of the 9-race limit, and I've reached that on a couple of good ones, but here, it's a smorgasbord... pick what you like, as often as you like. But... it's 'Dega! Never mind nascar.com. What do they know? The drivers I see running consistently well and always seeming to be near the front, even if falling victim to misfortune in the waning laps a time or two are Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray and Jeff Gordon. Fancy that! All seem to run pretty fair at this bit ol' ugly track too. Two Chasers and two racers... I'd love to ride with all four, because I think that's about the way they'll finish... except that it's 'Dega, and they could be your last four finishers just as easily. Mama will ride this week with Jeff Gordon. He's the guy I'd love to see take it, just so we can all know that he really has seven... they just don't count because Brian says so... and he can.
Brian Marchetti: So I'm thinking about Vickers, and I'm
thinking about Bowyer, I like Vickers, but I admit, Bowyer seems more consistent
to me. Whoever I pick will get wiped out
in the first 50 laps, as that's my luck, so it's almost like whom do I hate
more?!!! Nah, that's not fair to
say. Both drivers are impressive, and
the key to the super speedways is to stay out of trouble. Running up front would be the best way in my
opinion, but not always the easiest thing to do. My problem is the Chase Grid. I tend to look at drivers who have something
to gain, or lose, at the end of the season.
If I look at the Driver Rating, it puts me with Kenseth or Earnhardt
Jr. If I look at the Driver Averages, it
puts me with Harvick, Johnson, and then Earnhardt Jr. again. Everyone loves Jr. at Daytona and Talladega,
so why not? My answer, he's only cracked
the Top 10 three times in the last 10 races.....I don't like those odds. Harvick is running great this year, but his
Average for the last 5 races here tells me this isn't his track.
The one driver I haven't mentioned, Captain Unpredictable, Kyle Busch. He seems to have toned down, and has been running up front the last few races. I think I'm planting myself some Shrubs this weekend, and eating my M&Ms. Who's with me?
Now, let’s see what our fans have to say about their picks for the Talladega race!
Nate: I have nothing to lose…I’m taking Tony Stewart to win at Talladega.
Darrell: Dale Jr. with everything on the line will be standing in Victory Lane on Sunday.
Barbara: I’m going to go with Kevin Harvick to win this week!
Vivian: My pick this week is going to be based on my wish, not logic although he does normally do good at this track. I am picking Jr. to win at Dega
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 Martinsville, but until then, keep the shiny side up!
Our Picks For This Week!
Kevin Abraham |
Alabama Fitz |
Jim Fitzgerald |
PattyKay Lilley |
Brian Marchetti |
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!