Fast Five: Talladega Superspeedway
NASCAR gets ready to tackle the high banks of Talladega Superspeedway this weekend as the guys race the Good Sam Club 500 on Sunday, October 23rd. Here is a look at five significant facts and records that could have an impact on the results of this weeks race finish.
Best Average Finish and Most Wins
Joey Logano has the best average finish at Talladega Superspeedway at 12.6. Jeff Gordon has the most wins at the track, with six. A win for Jeff Gordon on Sunday night would be great for the four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. His last win at the track was back in 2007, when he won both the spring and fall race. Gordon also won the October 7, 2008 race from the pole. Something that has one happened 13 times in track history.
Most Top-Fives and Most Top-Tens
Hendrick Teammates Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin hold the record for the most top-fives and top-tens at the track. Gordon ties Terry Labonte with 14 top-five finishes. Martin has 24 top-ten finishes.
Everyone knows that you need a partner to race at Talladega Superspeedway. Jeff Gordon was asked by the media on Tuesday, what he looks for in a drafting partner.
Gordon responded "Loyalty. You want somebody that’s going to be there for you and you’re going to be there for them. You want somebody that’s calm and experienced that you feel like can get you to the front of you can push to the front."
Fastest Qualifying Speed
Though he runs a limited schedule in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series now, Bill Elliott holds the record for the fastest qualifying speed set back in 1987, with a speed of 212.809. He used a Ford Thunderbird with an engine built by his brother, Ernie. However, during the race Bobby Allison was spun and went airborne into the catch fence, tearing a large section away and injuring several fans. Shortly after the race, NASCAR mandated the use of the restrictor plate for both races at Daytona and Talladega.
Last Win at Talladega Superspeedway
The honor for the last win at Talladega Superspeedway goes to Jimmie Johnson. Johnson was pushed to victory by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Dale Jr. This was Johnson’s second win at the track.
Currently, Johnson is currently 35 points back in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase for the Championship after a hard crash left him with a 34th place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway last weekend. Can Johnson gain some points and sweep the races at the track?
Most Laps Led
Jeff Gordon is the driver that has led the most laps at Talladega Superspeedway with 831. Could he get back into Victory Lane this weekend? His last win was at Atlanta Motor Speedway in September.
Qualifying for the Good Sam Club 500 from Talladega Superspeedway is Saturday at 12pm EST on SPEED, while the race is on Sunday afternoon starting with the NASCAR Countdown on ESPN at 1pm EST. Hendrick Motorsports driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr will be the ESPN In-Race reporter for the race.
Who do you think will be in Victory Lane after the race? Can Dale Earnhardt, Jr finally end the losing drought?
