Winners Streak: Big Opportunity For NASCAR Cup Playoff Seeking Competitors at Talladega

With six different winners in the first nine races of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, this weekend’s GEICO 500 (Sunday, April 21 at 3 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) offers a plethora of opportunity for a seventh different winner to pull into Victory Lane and secure their spot in the Playoffs.

Talladega Superspeedway has seen seven different winners in the last seven races; including this Sunday’s defending winner, Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch, who is still looking for his first win of 2024. The streak began with Denny Hamlin’s win in October 2020, followed by Brad Keselowski (April 2021), Bubba Wallace (Oct. 2021), Ross Chastain (April 2022), Chase Elliott (Oct. 2022), Kyle Busch (April 2023), Ryan Blaney (Oct. 2023).

Thus far, six drives have earned a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs by virtue of the wins this season – William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell and Daniel Suarez.

NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: GEICO 500

The Place: Talladega Superspeedway

The Date: Sunday, April 21

The Time: 3 p.m. ET

The Purse: $8,234,125

TV: FOX, 2 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 500.08 miles (188 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 60),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 120), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 188)

Speedy History: Talladega Superspeedway

Construction began on what was then known as the Alabama International Motor Speedway on May 23, 1968. The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway was held on September 14, 1969, and the event was won by Richard Brickhouse, from Rocky Point, North Carolina, driving a Dodge for car owner Ray Nichels. The average speed of the first race at the 2.66-mile track was 153.778 mph.

The name of the facility changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989, and the surface underwent its fourth repaving on September 19, 2006. In total, there have been 109 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway; one series event in 1969, and two races per year since 1970.

NASCAR Hall of Famers hold the qualifying and race records at Talladega Superspeedway. Bill Elliott holds the qualifying record, which he set on April 30, 1987 with a lap at 212.809 mph (44.998 secs.) and Mark Martin holds the race record with his win on May 10, 1997 at an average speed of 188.354 mph (2 hours, 39 mins., 18 secs.).

No matter where you start you got a chance at ‘Dega

One of the best parts about drafting tracks is a driver can move to the front from any starting spot, and this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway should be another showcase of the competitive intensity that is the Cup Series.

Eight different times the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega has been won from starting spot outside the top-20. The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Talladega is 36th, by NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon in the 2000 spring race. The deepest in the field that an active NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at Talladega is 34th, by Denny Hamlin in the 2014 spring race.

Last season’s April Talladega race was won by Kyle Busch, after starting from the 17th position.

Starting position still matters at ‘Dega

A total of 47 different drivers have won at least one pole at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; 24 of the pole winners have won more than one.

Six of the 47 Talladega NASCAR Cup Series pole winners are active this weekend.

A total of 15 of the 109 NASCAR Cup Series races have been won from the pole or first starting position (13.76%).

But the outside front row (second-place) starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega (18.3%).

Busch Light Pole Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Drafting Masters: Drivers to watch at Talladega

The 109 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway have also produced a total of 51 different race winners; 27 of the 51 have won multiple times at the 2.66-mile track.

This weekend nine of the 51 NASCAR Cup Series Talladega race winners are entered into the event.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with 10 victories (1983, 1984, 1990 sweep, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1999 sweep, 2000). RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Talladega Superspeedway with six victories (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021).

The two most recent winners at Talladega are Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch (April, 2023) and Team Penske’s Chase Elliott (Oct., 2023); both drivers are looking for their first win of the 2024 season.

‘Dega doesn’t disappoint

Known as one of the most competitive tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway is the perfect stage for the wild side-by-side action NASCAR fans love and this weekend’s GEICO 500 (Sunday, April 21 at 3 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) is expected to produce just that.

Talladega Superspeedway holds the all-time record in Green Flag Passes for the Lead in a single NASCAR Cup Series event with 348 Green Flag Passes for the Lead set on October 1, 2023.

Talladega Superspeedway also holds the all-time record in Total Green Flag Passes in a single NASCAR Cup Series event with 23,765 total green flag passes throughout the field set on October 20, 2013.

Last season, the Talladega Superspeedway NASCAR Cup Series race in April produced 21 different leaders and 57 different lead changes. The Playoff race later that season at Talladega produced 24 different leaders and 70 lead changes.

Kings of ‘Dega

The art of ‘Drafting’ on tracks like Talladega Superspeedway is a skill not every driver can master, but for the ones that learn to manipulate the air to their benefit at nearly 200 mph have found the spoils of Victory Lane in some of the NASCAR Cup Series’ biggest races.

No driver has been more successful in points-paying races at Talladega Superspeedway than NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt with 10 wins (1983, 1984, 1990 sweep, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1999 sweep, 2000).

In total, nine active drivers have won at the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway. RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski with six victories (2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021) leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in Talladega wins.

The next active drivers with the most wins at Talladega, are a pair of Team Penske teammates Joey Logano (2015, 2016, 2018), and Ryan Blaney (2019, 2020, 2023) with three victories. Both drivers are looking for their first wins of the 2024 season.

First-Time Winners happen at Talladega Superspeedway

23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace scored his and the organization’s first NASCAR Cup Series career win in the October Talladega Superspeedway race of 2021. In the process, Wallace became the 12th different driver to get his first career win at the behemoth 2.66-mile superspeedway; joining active drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2017) and Brad Keselowski (2009).

First-Time NASCAR Cup Series Winners at Talladega Superspeedway

NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

Grammy-nominated Country artist Walker Hayes to perform Saturday night concert at Talladega –

Talladega Superspeedway announced that GRAMMY®-nominated country artist Walker Hayes will perform the Saturday Night Concert at Talladega Superspeedway during the GEICO 500 Race Weekend. The five-time ACM Awards nominee and Mobile, Alabama native will pump up the fans ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 on Sunday.

“Walker is the perfect choice for our Saturday Night Concert and will do an incredible job representing Alabama and Talladega Superspeedway during our spring race weekend,” said Talladega Superspeedway President Brian Crichton. “When you have an artist with an in-state connection come to perform for our fans, it’s going to be a special night and we know that Walker is going to put on an amazing show as part of all the festivities going on throughout the weekend.”

Hayes has been nominated for a GRAMMY® Award, five ACM Awards, a CMT Award, a CMA Award and six Billboard Music Awards. “Fancy Like,” “AA,” and “You Broke Up With Me” were three top ten country radio hits for Hayes and he’s accumulated over two billion artist streams to date. His most recent project New Money released on September 29, 2023, and includes the single “Good With Me.” The single has Hayes reflecting on how crazy life can get and trying to find the most even-handed way to take it one day at a time.

Most fans will recognize his smash hit single “Fancy Like” which released in June 2021 off the EP Country Stuff. The song topped every country sales and streaming chart, hit top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, was #1 at country radio, is 4x Platinum with over 550 million worldwide streams, and was the number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for over an astonishing six months. He surprised fans over the holiday season with “Fancy Like Christmas” – a re-imagining of the country hit.

Hayes just wrapped his headlining The Duck Buck Tour which was his second arena tour in two years after he closed out the Glad You’re Here tour last fall. He also co-wrote the book “Glad You’re Here” with his best friend Craig Allen Cooper which release on May 3, 2022. The book tells the story of Walker finding faith through Craig’s friendship and inspired the song “Craig.” “Be A Craig Fund” was set up based off the single and it’s a way to pay it forward and make the path easier for struggling families.

“Getting to play my home state of Alabama is always a treat but getting to play Talladega Superspeedway makes the occasion extra special,” said Hayes. “Nothing says country quite like NASCAR and I have a feeling this crowd is going to bring the energy. Me, my band, and my family are so looking forward to this one. See all y’all in April!!!”

Stat Watch: Upcoming Driver Milestones in the NASCAR Cup Series – This weekend the NASCAR Cup Series will be at Martinsville Speedway, and below are a few of the possible milestones that can be achieved this Sunday and over the next few weeks.

Starts

Michael McDowell will make his 475th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Talladega Superspeedway becoming the 53rd different driver in series history to make 475 or more starts. McDowell, form Phoenix, Arizona, has posted one pole, two wins (including 2021 DAYTONA 500), nine top fives and 39 top 10s in his 474 career starts. He has earned a spot in the Playoffs twice (2021, 2023). His best finish in the championship standings in his Cup career was 15th last season.

Alex Bowman is expected to make his 300th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Dover Motor Speedway.

Noah Gragson is expected to make his 50th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Dover Motor Speedway.

Ross Chastain is expected to make his 200th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Darlington Raceway.

Chase Elliott is expected to make his 300th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Corey Lajoie is expected to make his 250th NASCAR Cup Series career start at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Wins

Denny Hamlin currently has 53 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Lee Petty for 12th on the all-time wins list with 54 victories each.

Martin Truex Jr. currently has 34 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie Brad Keselowski for 24th on the all-time wins list with 35 victories each.

Joey Logano currently has 32 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts for 27th on the all-time wins list with 33 victories each.

Kyle Larson currently has 24 NASCAR Cup Series wins, if he were to win another race, he would tie Jim Paschal and Joe Weatherly for 34th on the all-time wins list with 25 victories each.

Cup Series Team Member Spotlight: Heading into this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, there are two team members from the state of Alabama that we wanted to bring to your attention – 23XI Racing’s Interior Specialist Adam Crawford from Semmes, Alabama and Trackhouse Racing’s Jackman Josh Appleby from Athens, Alabama.

23XI’s Crawford attended Mobile Christian High School and is a former driver that competed in the Southern Super Series and PASS Late Model Series prior to joining 23XI Racing.

Trackhouse’s Appleby is a former college athlete that played football at the University of Louisville.

NASCAR has been competing in Alabama for a while – There have been 181 NASCAR national series races held in the state of Alabama among seven different tracks. The very first NASCAR national series race held in the state of Alabama was a NASCAR Cup Series event at Lakeview Speedway (Mobile) in 1951 – the race was won by Alabama native Tim Flock (Oldsmobile).

The first NASCAR Cup Series race held at Talladega Superspeedway was in 1969 – the event was won by Richard Brickhouse (Dodge).