Congratulations to Joey Logano for winning the first two races of the second round of the Chase. Very tough luck for Matt Kenseth who was trying to hang on for a win after a disappointing finish at Charlotte the week before, Joey was too fast for him late in the race and it looked like Matt got spun trying to block Joey and pick up the win himself.
CAMPINGWORLD500.COM AT TALLADEGA
This week the series heads to Talladega and the biggest wild card of the Chase. This restrictor-plate track gives any team on the track the chance to win a race and there are some teams who are in the Chase that need to win this race or wait until next year to try for another championship.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Sitting thirty-one points out of eight position in the points, Dale almost has to win this race to move on to the next round of the Chase. If you were going to pick any driver to win a race at Talladega, Dale would be the one. With six wins at this track in his career and one of them coming this spring, Dale is the driver that I think could get the job done this weekend and I think he will.
Jeff Gordon: Jeff also has six wins at this track throughout his career and is smart enough to know that all he needs to do this week is stay out of trouble. However, at Talladega, staying out of trouble is easier said than done. I think Jeff will finish this race right where he needs to be and make it to the next round of the Chase.
Matt Kenseth: Matt really needs to win this race move to the next round. At thirty-five points out of eighth place and having three other drivers in front of him for the eighth spot, Matt doesn’t have any other choice. He won this race in 2012 and finished second last year. With the equipment and the teammates he has I think he still has somewhat of a chance this week even if it is a long shot.
Kurt Busch: Kurt has always been very good at Talladega even though he is still looking for his first win here. In twenty-nine start, Kurt has six top five and fourteen top ten finishes at this track. All Kurt needs to do to move to the next round is stay out of trouble and he keeps his hopes alive for a shot at his second career championship.
Kyle Busch: Kyle has won one race at Talladega in his career. This is going to be one of the most nerve wracking weeks and races in his career. Kyle currently sits in ninth place only six points out of the eight place position that he needs to move to the next round. The question is, can he be patient enough to stay out of trouble and come away with a good enough position to gain those six points and move on.
Kevin Harvick: Kevin had to win the last race of the first round to keep his chances of defending his championship from last season alive and he did just that. Now all he has to do is stay out of trouble and he will make it to the third round. I think this team is good enough to know what they need to do and confident enough not to get to excited until late in the race.
Ryan Newman: Ryan is currently in tenth place, eight points out of the eighth place spot in the standings. Hardly anyone gave this team a chance to win the championship last season and no one really has given this team a chance once again this season. I think Ryan will be patient early in this race and try to stay out of trouble and then he will do what he has to do late in the race to try to position himself to make the next round without winning a race again.
Brad Keselowski: Brad already has three wins at this track in his short career. He doesn’t need a win this weekend to move on and that might be the toughest thing for him to overcome. Brad loves to race for wins and it might be tough for this team to just try to stay out of trouble and come away with an average finish and keep their hopes alive.
YAHOO! FANTASY NASCAR PICKS FOR TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY
Yahoo Driver Group A
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Brad Keselowski
Yahoo Driver Group B
- Jamie McMurray
- Clint Bowyer
- Aric Almirola
- Austin Dillon
Yahoo Driver Group C
- Danica Patrick
- Justin Allgaier
MY TOP-5 OVERALL AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Brad Keselowski
- Jeff Gordon
- Matt Kenseth
- Denny Hamlin
Dark Horse: Casey Mears
Stay Away From: Kasey Kahne