LINCOLN, AL (EETV) – Out of every track NASCAR visits, Talladega Superspeedway is by far the most unpredictable and chaotic.
Each driver and team has their own unique way of navigating the weekend, whether it’s visiting the famed “Boulevard” to get the full ‘Dega experience or testing their skills across the street at the dirt track.
The sheer size and speed aren’t the only factors making this track volatile. It’s the strategy, and everyone has their opinion. Most believe in saving fuel for as long as possible and cruising to the late stage of the race before they make their moves. Others want to take advantage of their unwilling opponents and put their car near the point of the field.
“We’re always going to find a way to maximize things,” said Alex Bowman. “I think what it stems from is that if we all go out and start running two-wide and burning fuel, nobody can pass. So, when you figure out nobody can pass, you say my only way to pass is on pit road.
“Fuel savings, I think, on superspeedways is unfortunately probably here to stay.”
But every strategy has its flaws. If you push too soon, too early, and use more fuel than others, you’ll be right back in the rear after the pit cycle. With that being said, if the cautions fall into your hands right, it could pay off tenfold.
“I’m pushing till they tell me not to,” said Denny Hamlin. “I’m always trying to push, and it’s my team telling me to stop.”
There’s one thing that seems to show its head every year at Talladega. The “Big One.” Step one is avoiding it, step two is throwing your plan out the window and adjusting.
“You have to be in the right spot at the right time,” said Bubba Wallace. “You never know when it’s your moment, especially when the wrecks are boiling up and about to happen. You don’t know if you’re in a safe spot, leading, or fifth or 13th. You just have to be in the right spot at the right time.”
In a sport like racing, there is always some aspect of luck when it comes to how your day ends. But like the age-old saying goes, “you make your own luck.”
William Byron, however, has a different perspective on superspeedway racing. Given that he holds the best average finish at Talladega in the current car, his words hold a little extra weight.
“I don’t think it's luck-based,” said William Byron. “I think luck is a part of it… I don’t believe in that. I feel like it's about trying to position yourself. And the more often you position yourself at the front, it's a numbers game and the better chance you’re going to have at winning eventually.”
Remember that plan I told you teams would have to throw out? Well, if history is any good indication, they’ll be throwing out plan B too when the white flag waves. One thing every driver can agree on is that they will do everything they can to win.
“We’ll [Team Penske and Wood Brothers Racing] do a good job of working together, but once it comes down to the end and the last lap, you’re going to race it out, said Josh Berry. “Up until then, I think we’ll try and work together as much as we can.”
All questions will be answered Sunday, April 26, 2025, at the Jack Link's 500 airing on Fox at 3 p.m. CT.
