THE RACE: Alabama 500
TRACK: Talladega Superspeedway
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Race #31 of 36
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race #5 of 10
Date: Sunday, October 15, 2017 in Talladega, AL
Title Sponsor: None
Scheduled Green Flag (approx): 2:20 pm/et
Sections on this page:
Television | Radio/Streaming | Schedule | Track/Race Info | Race Rundown
Qualifying / Practice / Entry Info | Weather Links | Tire Notes | Odds
NASCAR America Pre-Race Show: 1:00pm/et on NBCSN
NASCAR Countdown to Green Pre-Race Show: 1:30pm/et on NBC
Television Race Coverage: NBC, 2:00pm/et
Practices:
Friday, October 13, 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm/et, TV-NBCSN;
Friday, October 13, 3:00 pm - 3:55 pm/et, TV-NBCSN
Qualifying for positions 1-40, Saturday, October 14 at 4:00 pm/et, TV-NBCSN;
re-air scheduled: None
In the Booth: Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte
Pit Reporters: Dave Burns, Parker Kligerman, Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast
Pre/Post-Race and Hosts: Krista Voda, Kyle Petty, Dale Jarrett
Features Reporter: Rutledge Wood
Breaking News: Nate Ryan
Scheduled Race Re-Air Dates/Times:
None
TV Listings, Links and Info:
see the TV Listings and Links page
Motor Racing Network (MRN)
SiriusXM Satellite NASCAR Channel 90
ONLINE STREAMING
NBC Sports - Live
Radio: MRN Live Streaming
SiriusXM Internet Radio (available via internet connected device, with subscription)
EVENT SCHEDULE
Event Schedule times are local to the track
Friday, October 13
7:00 AM-7:00 PM MENCS GARAGE OPEN
12:00 PM-12:55 PM MENCS 1ST PRACTICE
2:00 PM-2:55 PM MENCS FINAL PRACTICE
Saturday, October 14
8:00 AM-4:30 PM MENCS GARAGE OPEN
3:15 PM MENCS QUALIFYING IMPOUND (SINGLE VEHICLE / TWO ROUNDS)
Sunday, October 15
8:30 AM MENCS GARAGE OPENS
12:20 PM MENCS DRIVER INTRODUCTIONS
1:00 PM MENCS RACE (188 LAPS, 500.08 MILES)
MENCS = Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Talladega Superspeedway Track News, Stats & Links page
April 2017: see the Talladega Race Info page
October 2016: see the Talladega Race Info page
Track Specifications:
Superspeedway: 2.66-mile trioval 48 feet wide (12-foot apron)
Turns: Banking: 33 degrees Length: 3,750 feet Radius: 1,100 feet
Trioval: Banking: 18 degrees
Frontstretch: Chute length: 2,150 feet (from turn to middle of trioval);
Total length: 4,300 feet Banking: Minimal for drainage only
Backstretch: Length: 4,000 feet Banking: Minimal for drainage only
Seats: 78,000 [was 78,000 was 109,000, 143,231} with 30 suites
Stages: 1 ends lap 55, 2 at lap 110, race finish is lap 188 (OT possible)
Race Festivities/Officials:
Grand Marshal: Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
Command to start engines: Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
Honorary Starter/Wave Green Flag: Alabama State Senator Del Marsh
Honorary Pace Car Driver: TBA
Color Guard: Alabama Army National Guard
Invocation: Buster Taylor, Alabama Raceway Ministries
National Anthem: 313th United States Army Band
Flyover: Air Force Heritage Flight - P-51 Mustang & F-16 Fighting Falcon
Sunday Talladega Notebook: Dale Earnhardt Jr. completes bittersweet Talladega weekend in seventh place; Late wreck ruins Chase Elliott's winning chances; Wild accident ends Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s restrictor-plate run.[More](10-15-2017)
Friday Talladega Notebook: Matt Kenseth sidesteps questions about his racing future; Joey Logano trying for three-peat at Talladega; Christopher Bell to move up to NASCAR XFINITY Series in 2018; Short Strokes[More](10-13-2017)
Talladega Weekend Preview: Stenhouse tries for Talladega sweep; Grala goes for another superspeedway win.[More](10-13-2017)
What to Watch For: Talladega: One More Time at Talladega for Dale Earnhardt Jr.; Prepare for a Wild One at Dega; Can Stenhouse Make it 3 Straight?; Truex's Dominance Continues; Time for Chase Elliott to Win One?; Who's Hot and Who's Not.[More](10-12-2017)
A look at many new, notes and story lines for the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, see the stats on the NASCAR National Series News & Notes -- Talladega
A look at some of the top statistical performers and top-10 driver ratings at Talladega, see the stats on the Statistical Advance - Analyzing Talladega page
Keselowski won the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway for his 3rd win of 2017, 5th win at Talladega and 24th career win. It was his 300th career start. He passed #31-Newman on the final lap to take the win that was riddled with wrecks over the final 20 laps.
Keselowski is now locked into the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 8, along with Truex, Jr.
#31-Newman held on to finish 2nd followed by #6-Bayne, #22-Logano, #43-Almirola, #11-Hamlin, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., #5-Kahne, #83-Gaulding (a career best), and #38-Ragan.
The "big one" happened with 17 laps to go and invovled 16 cars: #4-Harvick, #38-Ragan, #48-Johnson, #18-Busch, #78-Truex, #3-Dillon, #95-McDowell, #20-Kenseth, #10-Patrick, #13-Dillon, #88-Earnhardt, Jr., #32-DiBenedetto, #75-Gaughan, #34-Cassill, #17-Stenhouse and #41-Busch. The race had to be red flagged for track cleanup.
There was also a wreck with 11 laps to go involving #4-Harvick, #21-Blaney, #22-Logano, and #75-Gaughan that also required a red flag for track cleanup.
Another wreck with 6 to go caught #19-Suarez, #24-Elliott, and #36-Buescher. A 3rd red flag was needed.
Playoff drivers who did not make it to the end of the race because of accidents included #1-McMurray, #4-Harvick, #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #18-Busch, #21-Blaney, #24-Elliott, #48-Johnson, #78-Truex, Jr.
#2-Keselowski won stage 1 and won the race.
#21-Blaney won stage 2 but was caught in a late accident and finished 18th.
#78-Truex Jr. leads the driver points by 19 over #2-Keselowski.
There were 30 lead changes among 16 drivers and 11 cautions for 47 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 131.677mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, laps led, cautions and more at:
Unofficial Race Results (pdf)
Cumulative Report (pdf)
Penalty Report (pdf)
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).
Last-lap pass gives Brad Keselowski victory in wild Talladega race: On the Longest Day at Talladega-in a war of attrition that required three red flags and left 14 cars running at the finish-Brad Keselowski powered his #2 Team Penske Ford past the #31 Chevrolet of Ryan Newman on the final lap to win Sunday's Alabama 500.[More](10-15-2017)
MENCS at Talladega
- Brad Keselowski: 6th career restrictor plate win (5th at Talladega); ties Dale Jarrett for 4th-most all-time behind Jeff Gordon (12), Dale Earnhardt (11), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (10)
- Keselowski: clinches spot in Round of 8; was eliminated in Round of 12 last year (eliminated in Round of 8 in 2014 and 2015)
- Keselowski: 24th career win; sole possession of 33rd all-time (1 more would tie Jim Paschal and Joe Weatherly)
- Keselowski: 7th driver in series history to win in 300th career start (teammate Joey Logano also did so earlier this season)
- Keselowski: was only playoff driver to finish in top 5
- Keselowski: entered race 10th in playoff standings
- Ryan Newman: finished 2nd; was eliminated from playoffs in Round of 2
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.: finished 7th in final Talladega race; led 7 laps from pole
- Earnhardt Jr.: 1 win in final 25 starts at Talladega (5 wins in his first 10 starts at track)
- Gray Gaulding: finished 9th for 1st career top-10 finish
- 8 of 12 remaining playoff drivers failed to finish race; only 2 finished in top 12
- Kyle Busch: finished 27th; fell to 9th in Cup Series standings (7 points behind Jimmie Johnson for final spot in Round of 8 with 1 race remaining)
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: finished 26th; was attempting to join Dale Earnhardt (1990) as only drivers to win 3 restrictor plate races in a season
(ESPN Stats & Info)
Race Fast Facts - Talladega
Brad Keselowski (P) won the 49th Annual Alabama 500, his 24th victory in 300 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his third victory and 18th top-10 finish in 2017.
This is his fifth victory and 11th top-10 finish in 18 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Ryan Newman (second) posted his 12th top-10 finish in 32 races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his 12th top-10 finish in 2017.
Trevor Bayne (third) posted his third top-10 finish in 14 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Gray Gaulding (ninth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Martin Truex Jr. (P) leads the point standings by 19 points over Brad Keselowski (P).
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(10-14-2017)
2017 MENCS Playoff drivers' finishing positions at Talladega
[by standings before the race (started)]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr., 23rd (21) Accident
2) #42-Kyle Larson, 13th (12)
3) #4-Kevin Harvick, 20th (22) Accident
4) #24-Chase Elliott, 16th (2) Accident
5) #11-Denny Hamlin, 6th (15)
6) #18-Kyle Busch, 27th (16) Accident
7) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 24th (8) Accident
8) #1-Jamie McMurray, 37th (17) Accident
9) #20-Matt Kenseth, 14th (19)
10) #2-Brad Keselowski, 1st (6)
11) #21-Ryan Blaney, 18th (9) Accident
12) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 26th (5) Accident
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings:
[after Talladega, race 31 of 36 for the season, 5 of 10 in Playoffs, 2 of 3 in Round of 12]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr. (1 win) (A), 3120
2) #2-Brad Keselowski (1 win) (A), 3101 -19
3) #42-Kyle Larson, 3096 -24
4) #4-Kevin Harvick, 3089 -31
5) #11-Denny Hamlin, 3088 -32
6) #24-Chase Elliott, 3087 -33
7) #21-Ryan Blaney, 3076 -44
8) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 3074 -46
These drivers would not advance to Round 3
9) #18-Kyle Busch, 3067 -53 (7 points behind 8th)
10) #20-Matt Kenseth, 3066 -54 (-8)
11) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 3052 -68 (-22)
12) #1-Jamie McMurray, 3045 -75 (-29)
(A) automatically advances to the next round of the playoffs with a win
See full standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page (pdf) and
Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf)
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).
Talladega accident quotes: What several drivers had to say after late-race accidents at Talladega Superspeedway.[More](10-15-2017)
Top-Ten Stage 2 Results (lap 110) of the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway (lap 110/188):
#21-Blaney, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#2-Keselowski, 9 pts
#14-Bowyer, 8 pts
#24-Elliott, 7 pts
#41-Kurt Busch, 6 pts
#3-Dillon, 5 pts
#48-Johnson, 4 pts
#4-Harvick, 3 pts
#18-Busch, 2 pts
#11-Hamlin, 1 pt
Top-Ten Stage 1 Results (lap 55) of the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway (lap 55/188):
#2-Keselowski, 10pts, 1 playoff point
#22-Logano, 9 pts
#21-Blaney, 8 pts
#17-Stenhouse, Jr., 7pts
#48-Johnson, 6 pts
#14-Bowyer, 5 pts
#95-McDowell, 4 pts
#41-Busch, 3 pts
#6-Bayne, 2 pts
#5-Kahne, 1 pt
Lucky Dogs, drivers that got a lap during the cautions (and their finish):
Caution 1: None, #15-Thompson involved in the caution
Caution 2: None, no one on track a lap or more down
Caution 3: None, no one on track a lap or more down
Caution 4: #83-Gaulding, 9th
Caution 5: #55-Kennington, 33rd
Caution 6: None, no one on track a lap or more down
Caution 7: None, no one on track a lap or more down
Caution 8: #83-Gaulding (2), 9th
Caution 9: #5-Kahne, 8th
Caution 10: None, #4-Harvick involved in the caution
Caution 11: #20-Kenseth, 14th
(10-15-2017)
Talladega Sunday Pre-Race Schedule (ET):
1:54pm: Intro Presentation of Colors by: Alabama Army National Guard
1:54pm: Invocation by: Buster Taylor, Alabama Raceway Ministries
1:55pm: National Anthem: 313th United States Army Band out of Birmingham, AL
1:56pm: Flyover By: USAF Heritage Flyover, F-16 Fighting Falcon and P-51 Mustang
2:01pm: "Driver's, Start Your Engines" by: Kay Ivery, 54th Governor of Alabama
2:13pm: Green Flag - Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 (188 laps, 500.08 miles), NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR
See the starting lineup for the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on the Starting Lineup Page (pdf).
To the back: #4-Harvick (unapproved adjustments), #41-Busch (unapproved adjustments), #15-Thompson (unapproved adjustments), #55-Kennington (unapproved adjustments)
NASCAR Overtime Race Procedure: Rule and notes on the NASCAR Overtime rules/news/stats page.
Wave Around: how the wave around rule works: All vehicles between the leader and the caution vehicle at the start/finish line when the "one to go" signal is given by the starter are considered "Wave Around" eligible. "Wave Around" vehicles will not be permitted to enter pit road at any time during this yellow flag/caution period. "Wave Around" vehicles must receive the green flag on the race track before being permitted to enter pit road without a penalty. Vehicles under a penalty and the "Free Pass" vehicle will not be eligible to receive a "Wave Around".
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway have been made.
Pole sitter #88-Earnhardt, Jr. chose pit stall 1, the first stall available [as do most pole sitters].
Outside pole sitter #24-Elliott took pit stall 15, with an opening in front of it.
#22-Logano, who starts 3rd, took the 2nd stall.
The 41st and final pit stall was taken by #48-Johnson, who starts 8th.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on Jayski.com's Pit Stall Selection chart.(10-14-2017)
Links to results, practices, qualifying PDF's: (will be added as available)
Official Race & Points Report
Race Results
Drivers Points
Owners Points
Cumlative Race Report
Penalty Report
Pitstalls
Starting Lineup
Qualifying Results
Qualifying Order
Happy Hour Practice Speeds
Practice 1 Speeds
Latest / Final Entry List
Preliminary Entry List
See the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race results page
QUALIFYING INFO, PRACTICE SPEED and ENTRIES
#88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the Coors Light pole for the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway with speed of 190.544mph for his 2nd pole of 2017, 1st at Talladega and 15th of his career. Earnhardt, Jr has won 1 race from the pole in 14 previous races.
#24-Elliott will start 2nd followed by #22-Logano, #41-Busch, #17-Stenhouse, Jr., #2-Keselowski, #14-Bowyer, #48-Johnson, #21-Blaney, #6-Bayne, #5-Kahne, and #42-Larson.
#88-Earnhardt, Jr was also fastest in the first round with a speed of 190.382mph.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 40 were entered for 40 spots.
See round-by-round qualifying results on the Qualifying results page (pdf) and the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(10-14-2017)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. bags first Talladega pole in last NASCAR season: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has started on the front row in every restrictor-plate race this season. The driver of the #88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet has won six races at Talladega Superspeedway. But Saturday was special.[More](10-14-2017)
Talladega Superspeedway - Qualifying Fast Facts:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Coors Light Pole Award for the 49th Annual Alabama 500 with a lap of 50.256 seconds, 190.544 mph.
This is his 15th pole in 626 NASCAR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his second pole and seventh top-10 start in 2017.
This is his first pole in 35 races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Chase Elliott (second) posted his 17th top-10 start of 2017 and his fourth in four races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Joey Logano (third) posted his third top-10 start at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his 18th in 31 races this season.
Daniel Suarez (14th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR Statistics)(10-14-2017)
First Round of Qualifying for the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over.
#88-Earnhardt, Jr. 190.382
#22-Logano 190.174
#24-Elliott 190.166
#41-Busch 190.091
#2-Keselowski 189.962
the rest of the top 12: 17 14 21 6 48 5 42;
not advancing to the final round: 10 19 11 18 1 3 20 27 78 4 77 47 13 43 31 37 95 34 7 32 38 33 75 15 23 72 83 55
Qualifying at Talladega is two rounds of single car qualifying.
Drivers who will miss the race: none, 40 entered
(10-14-2017)
2017 MENCS Playoff Drivers Starting Positions at Talladega
[by current playoff standings]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr., 21st
2) #42-Kyle Larson, 12th
3) #4-Kevin Harvick, 22nd
4) #24-Chase Elliott, 2nd
5) #11-Denny Hamlin, 15th
6) #18-Kyle Busch, 16th
7) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 8th
8) #1-Jamie McMurray, 17th
9) #20-Matt Kenseth, 19th
10) #2-Brad Keselowski, 6th
11) #21-Ryan Blaney, 9th
12) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 5th
Coverage of Qualifying for the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is scheduled for Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 4:15pm/et.
Television (TV): NBCSN, 4:00pm/et
Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
Superspeedway Qualifying Format for Daytona/Talladega: The qualifying format at superspeedways consists of the following:
· Two rounds of qualifying, with the top-12 posted lap speeds advancing to the second round
· Race vehicles taking one, timed lap in each round of qualifying
· Each race vehicle will be released in a predetermined timed interval as determined by NASCAR, with the sanctioning body reserving the right to have more than one vehicle engaging in qualifying runs at the same time
· Qualifying order for the first round was be determined by practice speeds, slowest to fastest; final round qualifying order is determined by slowest to fastest speeds from the first round
· A 10-minute break will occur between the first qualifying round and the final round
· Upon completion of the first qualifying round, the field will be set with positions 13 and beyond determined from first round qualifying speed
· The 12 fastest vehicles from the first round will have their speeds reset for the final round with starting positions 1-12 determined by the fastest laps in the final round
· NASCAR will impound race vehicles following each qualifying lap; vehicles advancing to the final round will be allowed to adjust tape and utilize a cool-down unit during the 10-minute break only.
Qualifying Order for the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted.
The qualifying order for the two restrictor plates races (Daytona/Talladega) is different.
The order for the 1st round is set by a practice speeds (both practices combined) from Friday, slowest to fastest.
The first driver scheduled to make an attempt is in round 1 is #15-Thompson.
The final driver scheduled to make an attempt is in round 1 is #2-Keselowski.
For the 2nd round, the remaining 12 cars line up by speed, slowest to fastest.
For the qualifying order, see the Qualifying Order page (pdf).(10-14-2017)
Happy Hour (final) practice for the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#5-Kahne 191.222
#88-Earnhardt, Jr. 191.069
#41-Busch 190.257
#6-Bayne 190.102
#24-Elliott 189.729
slowest: #10-Patrick 161.495 & #95-McDowell 160.370.
Just 2 drivers ran 10 consecutive laps: #88-Earnhardt, Jr 182.542 & #5-Kahne 182.357.
notes: Just 23 drivers practiced during the session. No accidents or incidents
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Happy Hour Practice speeds page (pdf) (10-13-2017)
First practice for the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is over, after 55 scheduled minutes, the top-five and notes:
#2-Keselowski 197.859
#41-Busch 197.806
#21-Blaney 197.798
#17-Stenhouse, Jr. 197.761
#4-Harvick 197.696
slowest: #55-Kennington 183.649m #72-Whitt 119.910.
most laps run: #3-Austin Dillon, 32 laps.
notes: #48-Johnson cut a tire early and spun. He did not hit anything.
Top 10 lap average (of 24 drivers): #21-Blaney 196.829mph.
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf)(10-13-2017)
Entry List for the Alabama 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
36 teams with Charters are guaranteed to make the field. The rest need to make the field via qualifying / qualifying races / rules book (owners attempts/points).
Some of the drivers entered include: #7-Justin Marks*, #15-Mark Thompson, #23-Gase, #33-JEarnhardt, #55-Kennington*, #75-Gaughan*, #83-Gaulding*
The #51 team is not currently entered.
Since 40 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race.
See the full entry list on the Entry List (pdf)
2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings:
[after Charlotte, race 30 of 36, 4 of 10 in Playoffs]
1) #78-Martin Truex Jr. (1 win) (A), 3106
2) #42-Kyle Larson, 3072 -34
3) #4-Kevin Harvick, 3069 -37
4) #24-Chase Elliott, 3059 -47
5) #11-Denny Hamlin, 3056 -50
6) #18-Kyle Busch, 3055 -51
7) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 3051 -55
8) #1-Jamie McMurray, 3044 -62
These drivers would not advance to Round 3
9) #20-Matt Kenseth, 3043 -63
10) #2-Brad Keselowski, 3042 -64
11) #21-Ryan Blaney, 3039 -67
12) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 3034 -72
(A) automatically advances to the next round of the playoffs with a win
For qualifying rules and formats, see the Qualifying Rules page
How to Calculate Track Speeds: use the formula Speed = Distance divided by Time. Distance is Track Length, and Lap Time into Hours. Once hour is 3600 seconds, so the calculation for a 48 second lap at Daytona(2.5 miles) would be: Speed = 2.5 x (3600/48), = 2.5 x 75 = 187.500mph. For a 19 second lap at Talladega(.533 miles): Speed = .533 x (3600/19), = .533 x 189.474 = a speed of 100.990mph
WEATHER
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Accuweather
National Weather Service
Race Weather
Race Day Forecast
Weather Bug
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Tire: Goodyear Eagle Superspeedway Radials
Set limits:
Cup: 2 sets for practice, 1 set for qualifying and 6 sets for the race;
Truck: 4 sets for the event
Tire Codes:
Left-side -- D-4596; Right-side -- D-4630
Tire Circumference:
Left-side -- 87.91 in. (2,233 mm);
Right-side -- 88.39 in. (2,245 mm)
Minimum Recommended Inflation:
Left Front -- 27 psi; Left Rear - 27 psi;
Right Front -- 50 psi; Right Rear -- 50 psi
Storyline - Path of Least Resistance: Most times putting camber in a race car's set-up is designed to increase the footprint of the tires and increase grip through the corners. At Talladega Superspeedway, there is another benefit and it involves performance on the straightaways. By increasing the camber - or the amount the top of tires are tilted -- the car will run only on the inboard portion of the right-front tire (and outboard of the left-front) down the flatter straightaways, thus reducing the rolling resistance on the car and increasing the potential for speed. This comes most into play at Talladega on the right-front corner of the car, primarily because the camber rules are a little more liberal for the front tires and there has been known to be some right-side wear at this track over the past several seasons.
"NASCAR teams look for any and all advantages to gain speed, and influencing the rolling resistance through suspension settings, like camber, is one way they can do that at Talladega," said Greg Stucker, Goodyear's director of racing. "Since the track was repaved back in 2010, the amount of tire wear has increased over the years, leading to us bringing a more wear-resistant right-side tread compound starting in 2014. With the right-front normally seeing a significant amount of camber, teams will wear that inboard inch or two pretty heavily this weekend."
Notes: Teams in both the NASCAR Cup and Camping World Truck Series will run the same tire set-up at Talladega this weekend . . . for Cup teams, this combination of left- and right-side tires dates back to October 2014 . . . Truck teams began running this left-side tire code (D-4596) in 2014 and this right-side tire code (D-4630) in 2015 . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Talladega . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.
RACE & CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS
Vegas Insider
Race and Championship odds
NASCAR Top-Five Finish Prediction
Talladega Race Preview by Micah Roberts
Bovada Sportsbook:
Race and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Championship