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All Times Eastern
NASCAR Cup Series
YellaWood 500
Location: Talladega, Alabama.
Schedule: Saturday, qualifying at 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, race at 2 p.m. (NBC)
Track: Talladega Superspeedway.
Race distance: 188 laps, totaling 500.08 miles.
Last year: Ryan Blaney, who would later be crowned series champion, initiated his title quest with a finish just ahead of Kevin Harvick at Talladega. This victory marked Blaney’s third at the superspeedway. Although he led only eight laps throughout the race, he was in the lead for the crucial final two laps, surpassing Harvick, whose vehicle was disqualified during post-race technical checks due to issues with windshield fasteners.
Last race: Ross Chastain seized the lead from Martin Truex Jr. during a restart with 20 laps remaining and defended his position against playoff leader William Byron to clinch his first victory of the season in Kansas. Truex finished third in what is his final racing season. Defending Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney secured fourth place, while Ty Gibbs, who was eliminated from the playoffs a week prior to this race along with Truex, took fifth.
Fast facts: Byron, one of four Hendrick Motorsports competitors still in the playoffs, moved to the forefront of the playoff standings with a second-place finish in Kansas. … Defending champion Blaney and Christopher Bell are currently tied for second place, trailing Byron by six points. … Past champions Chase Elliott and Joey Logano sit in seventh and eighth, both four points above the cutline. … Tyler Reddick, who garnered the regular-season championship, is currently just outside the cutoff in ninth, trailing Elliott and Logano by four points. … The others not advancing include Daniel Suarez, Chase Briscoe, and Austin Cindric. … The round of 12 will conclude on October 13 at the Charlotte Roval, where the field will be narrowed to eight drivers. … Chastain’s victory makes him the second non-playoff driver to win in the first four postseason races this season; Chris Beuscher won at Watkins Glen three races ago. … Reddick triumphed at Talladega in April, skillfully avoiding a multi-car pileup just 400 yards from the finish line.
Next race: October 6, Talladega, Alabama.
Online: http://www.nascar.com</“`html
Rola crossed the finish line 0.660 seconds ahead of Custer, with Chandler Smith finishing in third place.
Fast facts: Custer continues to hold the lead as he aims for a second consecutive Xfinity title, maintaining a five-point advantage over Chandler Smith as the contenders proceed to the second race in the three-race round of 12. The round concludes at the Charlotte Roval on October 12. Austin Hill sits third on the playoff grid, followed by Sam Mayer in fourth, and Creed, Shane van Gisbergen, Jesse Love, and Riley Herbst round out the drivers currently positioned to advance. Justin Allgaier is first on the bubble, trailing Herbst by just one point. The other drivers below the cutline include A.J. Allmendinger, Parker Kligerman, and Sammy Smith.
Next race: October 12, Concord, North Carolina.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR Truck Series
Love’s RV Stop 225
Location: Talladega, Alabama.
Schedule: Friday, qualifying at 2 p.m.; race at 4:30 p.m. (FS1)
Track: Talladega Superspeedway.
Race distance: 85 laps, 226.1 miles.
Last year: Former series champion Brett Moffitt executed a three-wide maneuver to secure his first victory at a superspeedway. Moffitt emerged unscathed after a late collision involving 10 trucks at the dangerous track. He passed Christian Eckes during the restart and held off Ben Rhodes to claim the win.
Last race: Corey Heim surged past a fading Ty Majeski to win a playoff elimination event at Kansas. Majeski ran out of fuel as he approached the final lap while leading, allowing Heim to capitalize and achieve his sixth win of the season. Notable playoff eliminations included defending champion Ben Rhodes and rookie Daniel Dye. Layne Riggs, who had triumphed in the first two playoff events, finished second, with Christian Eckes in third place.
Fast Facts: The round of eight kicks off at Talladega before moving to Homestead-Miami and Martinsville. The four drivers who advance will compete for the championship at Phoenix on November 8. All previous playoff races at Talladega have been won by non-playoff drivers. Heim currently leads the standings, followed by Eckes in second and Majeski in third. The four drivers below the cutline at the start of this round are Rajah Caruth, Tyler Ankrum, Grant Enfinger, and Taylor Gray. Caruth is eight points shy of Nick Sanchez, who holds the fourth and final championship spot.
Next race: October 26, Homestead, Florida.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
Formula 1
Last race: Lando Norris reduced Max Verstappen’s lead by“`html
ciardo was let go by his Red Bull team last week. Over the course of 14 seasons, he secured eight race victories, with his latest triumph occurring at Monza for McLaren in 2021. … Charles Leclerc currently sits third in the driver standings, trailing Verstappen by 86 points. … The series will resume in two weeks with the United States Grand Prix set to take place in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 20. Following this, the series will move on to Mexico and Brazil for the subsequent races.
Next race: Oct. 20, Austin, Texas.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
IndyCar
Last race: Alex Palou secured his second consecutive IndyCar championship and his third title in the last four years at the Nashville Superspeedway three weeks ago. His rival, Will Power, experienced a loose seatbelt just minutes into the decisive season finale. Colton Herta achieved his first career victory on an oval track by winning the Music City Grand Prix, marking Andretti Global’s second win of the season.
Next race: March 2, 2025, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA Drag Racing
Last event: Jack Beckman, competing for John Force Racing, claimed the Funny Car title at the NHRA Mid-West Nationals, defeating fellow veteran Ron Capps. Beckman has been driving Force’s car recently as Force recovers from a serious accident in Virginia last June. This victory marks Beckman’s first title since his last season in 2020. Tony Schumacher also claimed the Top Fuel title over Steve Torrence.
Fast facts: In Top Fuel, Antron Brown holds a 34-point advantage over Justin Ashley, while Shawn Langdon is in third place, 60 points behind Brown. … Austin Prock is leading the Funny Car standings, ahead by 105 points of his team boss John Force. Bob Tasca trails in third place, 159 points behind, with Ron Capps and Matt Hagan rounding out the top five. … With Beckman behind the wheel, Force is pursuing his 17th overall world Funny Car championship. NHRA regulations permit a replacement driver to accumulate points for a maximum of eight events.
Next event: Oct. 9-13, Ennis, Texas.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
World of Outlaws
Weis Markets National Open, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Last events: The races scheduled at Sharon Speedway in Hampton, Ohio, last weekend were canceled due to ongoing rain from Hurricane Helene. … On Sept. 20 and 21, Carson Macedo dominated the Dennis Roth Classic in Tulare, California, leading allI’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that.
NASCAR Talladega 2024
Race Weekend Preview: NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, Truck Series and More at Talladega
Overview of Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway, known for its thrilling races and high-speed action, is one of the premier venues in NASCAR. Located in Talladega, Alabama, this iconic track has hosted 109 NASCAR Cup Series races since its opening in 1969, with two races per year since 1970 [[1](https://www.jayski.com/2024/04/17/nascar-national-series-news-notes-talladega-superspeedway-10/)]. The immense 2.66-mile oval is renowned for its steep banking and the ability to produce dramatic moments, making it a fan favorite.
NASCAR Cup Series Race Preview
The NASCAR Cup Series race is the highlight of the weekend at Talladega. Known for its unpredictable outcomes and close finishes, the Cup Series race draws top drivers and teams who are eager to secure valuable points and a prestigious win.
Key Drivers to Watch
- Chase Elliott – A consistent performer at superspeedways.
- Denny Hamlin – Known for his strategic racing style.
- Joey Logano – A past winner with a knack for dominating at Talladega.
Race Strategy
Drivers must balance aggression with caution. Drafting is crucial at Talladega, allowing drivers to save fuel and gain speed by working together. Teams will often strategize around pit stops and managing tire wear, as the high speeds can lead to quick degradation.
Xfinity Series Race Preview
The NASCAR Xfinity Series race is another exciting event during the Talladega race weekend. This race often showcases rising stars and seasoned veterans, making it a must-watch.
Notable Xfinity Drivers
- Noah Gragson - A strong contender with impressive superspeedway skills.
- Tyler Reddick – Known for his aggressive style and talent on the track.
- Austin Cindric – A previous winner at Talladega, looking to repeat his success.
Race Dynamics
The Xfinity races at Talladega often feature multiple lead changes and pack racing, leading to thrilling finishes. Teams will employ similar drafting strategies to the Cup Series, but with younger drivers often pushing the envelope.
Truck Series Race Preview
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event adds another layer of excitement to the weekend. Truck races at Talladega are known for their high speeds and exciting overtakes.
Top Truck Series Competitors
- Ben Rhodes – A strong performer on superspeedways.
- Sheldon Creed – Known for aggressive driving and ability to navigate through tight packs.
- John Hunter Nemechek – A seasoned truck driver with a keen sense for race strategy.
Strategies Unique to the Truck Series
Truck races can be more unpredictable due to the unique handling characteristics of the vehicles. Teams need to focus on aerodynamics and tire management while being ready to adapt to the fast-paced nature of superspeedway racing.
Event Schedule
| Date | Event | Series |
|---|---|---|
| October 6, 2024 | General Tire 200 | Truck Series |
| October 7, 2024 | Agendas 300 | Xfinity Series |
| October 8, 2024 | YellaWood 500 | Cup Series |
Practical Tips for Attending Talladega
- Arrive Early: With large crowds, arriving early will ensure you get a good parking spot and time to explore fan zones.
- Stay Hydrated: The excitement can be overwhelming; don’t forget to drink water throughout the day.
- Plan for Weather: Alabama weather can be unpredictable, so check forecasts and dress accordingly.
Fan Experience
The atmosphere at Talladega is electric, with fans from all over gathering to celebrate their favorite teams and drivers. From tailgating to enjoying live music, the energy is palpable. Make sure to take part in the various fan experiences available, such as driver meet-and-greets and interactive exhibits.
Conclusion
With high-speed action across all three series, the race weekend at Talladega is a must-attend for NASCAR fans. Whether you’re cheering for your favorite driver or enjoying the overall experience, Talladega offers an unforgettable motorsports experience.
