Tuesday, April 29, 2014

LVH opens Dale Earnhardt Jr. 10/1 favorite to win 2014 Aaron's 499 at Talladega

Does Denny Hamlin's great Daytona run translate well to Talladega?
LAS VEGAS-- If you look at the LVH SuperBook odds board this week, you're likely to notice a much different set of weekly NASCAR odds posted than what’s been seen the past eight races. For example, last week at Richmond, there were five drivers offered at single digits odds, led by two as 6-to-1 co-favorites. In this Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, there are no drivers listed in single digits.

Why such a disparity? Because anyone can win with the restrictor-plates on, which means drivers like David Ragan who are normally priced at 500-to-1 as part of the field are now reduced to 75-to-1. Last spring at Talladega, Ragan was pushed to victory by Front Row Motorsports teammate David Gilliand. Ragan paid out at 100-to-1 odds. Then in the fall, Jamie McMurray won at 20-to-1 odds.

Because Talladega races have been such a crap shoot, it may seem like a tougher process to make the odds. But it’s actually quite the opposite.

“These plate races are pretty simple,” said Superbook manager Ed Salmons. “I could have probably just cut and pasted the odds from Daytona and been fine with it. Really, almost anyone can win, so it’s not anything like the preparation needed by us for a place like Richmond.“

The “anything is possible approach” doesn’t just apply from a bookmaking standpoint — it also applies for the bettors. Driver ratings are truer at the 32 other non-plate races, so with Talladega’s volatile nature where any driver can be wiped out unexpectedly and having up to 38 drivers being near equals, driver match-ups are played very little, which reduces the weekly handle.

“Why would you play the match-ups in these races, there’s no edge, “said Salmons. “We may see some plays from those trying to scalp prices, but not any real bets from the regulars that normally bet them.

It’s not uncommon to see a driver priced more than -200 over another in a weekly match-up, but Salmons says his highest priced pairing has Joey Logano -125 to finish better than Tony Stewart.

Throw some darts, pull numbers out of a hat or roll the dice, Talladega is a crap shoot and there is no bad bet made until it actually loses on Sunday. But Salmons is starting to wonder about one specific driver.

“I’m starting to come to the realization that Danica Patrick might not ever be good in NASCAR,” said Salmons who posted her at 75-to-1. “Even at Daytona throughout speed weeks she was nothing, and that was the one place she really showed promise at last year.”

Salmons isn't the only one having doubts. I couldn't have been more wrong when suggesting before the season that she could compete for a top-20 points finish this season. The expected progression just hasn't been there. Danica is currently 29th in points with a best finish of 14th at Fontana. She finished 40th in the Daytona 500 with her only top-10 Sprint Cup finish coming last season in the Daytona 500 (8th).

So far this season it’s been a wild ride with seven different drivers winning in the first nine races, and surprisingly, we’re still waiting for four past champions to grab their first win. Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart are all searching for their first trophy of 2014. Each have won at Talladega before, with Gordon doing it six times. Last season, Johnson and Kenseth combined to win 13 of the 36 races.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. comes in as the LVH's lone favorite at 10-to-1, while nine drivers are co-second choices at 12-to-1 odds. Junior led six times for a race high 54 laps in the season-opening Daytona 500, which was his first win there since 2004. He’s won five times at Talladega over his career, and ironically, his last victory came in 2004. Is there a 2004 theme here? Maybe, but to match Gordon’s six wins on the track — most among active drivers —he’ll have to do it in a different car. The winning Daytona 500 car is on display at Daytona USA, the same process as in 2004.

A driver that should be seriously considered to win this week is Denny Hamlin at 12-to-1 odds. He’s never won a points plate-race, but he was amazing at Daytona in February where he won the Sprint Unlimited (Shootout), one of the Budweiser Duels, and then finished second in the Daytona 500. After not being as strong as the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing would have liked in the past eight races, look for the team to do all they can to recapture the speed with restrictor-plates strapped on like they had at speed weeks.

We’ll have some final Talladega notes on Saturday following all practice and qualifying sessions, even though the times mean absolutely nothing, or at least not on the scale of importance like other tracks.

Read More Here.....LVH Aaron's 499 odds

LVH Super Book Formula-1 odds to win 2014 Spanish Grand Prix

SPANISH GRAND PRIX
CIRCUIT DE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA
SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2014


LEWIS HAMILTON 5-9
NICO ROSBERG 9-4
FERNANDO ALONSO 15
SEBASTIAN VETTEL 15
DANIEL RICCIARDO 15
KIMI RAIKKONEN 50
FELIPE MASSA 100
NICO HULKENBERG 100
VALTTERI BOTTAS 100
JENSON BUTTON 100
KEVIN MAGNUSSEN 150
SERGIO PEREZ 150
DANIIL KVYAT 500
JEAN-ERIC VERGNE 500
PASTOR MALDONADO 1000
ROMAIN GROSJEAN 1000
ADRIAN SUTIL 2000
ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ 2000
KAMUI KOBAYASHI 5000
FIELD 500

LVH posts Montoya as 6-to-1 Indy 500 co-favorite, Kurt Busch 20-to-1.

Kurt Busch is 20/1 to win Indy 500
LAS VEGAS -- Juan Pablo Montoya returns to the starting lineup of the Indianapolis 500 for the first time since winning the race in 2000, and although he has yet to win during the first three Verizon IndyCar Series races this season, the LVH SuperBook has posted him as a 6-to-1 co-favorite to win the 95th running of the event on May 25. Montoya's Penske teammate, and three-time Indy 500 winner, Helio Castroneves and Andretti Autosport's Marco Andretti are the other co-favorites.

The favorites aren't listed as such because it's who the book thinks will win, but rather a combination of public demand -- who they'll bet the most -- mixed in with skill and quality of car. The name Andretti is known by everyone, bettors have cashed with Castroneves three times in this race, and then there is Montoya. The Columbian is a true legend. He won at Monaco, Sonoma and Indy...who does that? His return to the race is a big deal and he will be one of the most wagered drivers at whatever odds posted.

Along with Montoya, there is also another fresh name on the odds board that should generate some excitement for this year's race. NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch (20-to-1) will attempt to participate in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte on the same day. That storyline alone should help boost sports books' handle and television ratings as there will be more fans from NASCAR nation that will have a rooting interest.

The Indy 500 will always be an American institution, but between the rise and expansion of NASCAR in the early 1990's -- the Jeff Gordon era -- and the 1996 formation of the Indy Racing League that gave fans a diluted product of the Indy 500, the majority of American auto racing fans gravitated towards NASCAR.

Here in Las Vegas, there was a great example of the momentum shift just by the handle for each series going in opposite directions. In 1995, the cash handled on the Indy 500 at Las Vegas sports books rivaled the Daytona 500 as being the most wagered upon auto racing event of the year. Over the past couple of seasons all 36 NASCAR Sprint Cup races drew more action to the bet windows than the Indy 500. That's kind of a big deal, but Busch and Montoya definitely make this year's Indy race more appealing.

New Zealand's Scott Dixon (8-to-1), winner of the 2008 Indy 500, is the only other driver posted at less than double digit odds. However, two of his Chip Ganassi Racing teammates -- Tony Kanaan and Ryan Briscoe -- are listed next at 10-to-1. Kanaan won it last season driving for KV Racing Technology, giving Brazil seven wins among four drivers, which is one win behind the United Kingdom for most in a race history that dates back to 1911. Penske's Will Power, who won the season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg and leads the series in points, is also 10-to-1.

Ryan Hunter-Reay is second in points and won last week in the Grand Prix of Alabama. He's part of the Andretti gang and is set at 12-to-1 odds. After him, the odds shoot all the way to 20-to-1 with his new teammate Busch. The power teams are the drivers you want to pay the attention to the most, although Kanaan proved last season that a team other than Penske, Ganassi or Andretti can win.

We'll have continuing coverage of the Indy 500 as the month goes on that will include selections, advice and updates from what's being offered around town in the props department. The Kurt Busch angle in both races should be able to produce five to six different props itself. We'll also talk with Indianapolis native, and new Las Vegas resident, Wes Reynolds about how he approaches the Indy 500 from a handicapping perspective.

Read More Here.........LVH Indy 500 odds

Brian Vickers looking for his second Talladega win

Brian Vickers is 30/1 to win at Talladega Sunday
CORNELIUS, N.C. — If you think there is no way to heighten the drama around a Talladega Superspeedway race then checkout the storylines around this weekend’s Aaron’s 499.

Saturday marks the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ first knock-out qualifying session on a restrictor plate track. The entire field running in drafting packs to post quick lap times on the 2.66-mile Alabama superspeedway is sure to create a mix of apprehension and excitement for the fans, drivers and teams.

Fox will broadcast the inaugural session live at 1 p.m. ET.

Sunday also brings extra drama and intensity this year. When the green flag drops many drivers feel a win could lead to a berth in the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine driver Brian Vickers has an extra incentive this weekend. Aaron’s sponsors the race and MWR co-owner Michael Waltrip returns to action driving the No. 66 BlueDEF Toyota. Vickers first career victory came at Talladega on Oct. 8, 2006.

BRIAN VICKERS ON TALLADEGA: “Sure it’s a special place. I won my first Sprint Cup race there in 2006 and like everyone I love the show. It’s as mentally challenging of a race as we have. With the new qualifying and all that is at stake on Sunday I’m sure the Aaron’s 499 will be a weekend to remember.”

TALLADEGA QUALIFYING: “I have no idea what to expect. It’s going to be a lot of fun and it’s going to be way more entertaining. Nothing was more painful than the old way of qualifying at a superspeedway. I’m looking forward to Saturday and who knows how it is going to come out. I think the speed of the car and engine will matter less and chance will matter more. That’s fine. Restrictor plate racing to a certain extent is that way. I’m kind of good with it, because where you start isn’t critical to success in the race. Getting that timing, being in the right place at the right time and having the right car in front of you on the right lap is going to mean more than anything else. I think it is going to be a nail-bitter on who is going to win the pole until the very end.”

TAKING MORE CHANCES WITH “WIN AND YOU ARE IN” CHASE FORMAT: “I think people take a lot of undue risks at superspeedways already so I don’t know how much more that can increase. I think when the final laps start to click off it’s going to be same old Talladega but even bigger and better.”

WINNING THE AARON’S 499: “I don’t know who would be more excited in victory lane. Any victory is special in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series but to win a race sponsored by Aaron’s – a company that has been so good to me – would be a career highlight.”

ON MICHAEL WALTRIP DRIVING THE NO. 66 BLUEDEF TOYOTA: “That’s great for me and (MWR teammate) Clint (Bowyer). Michael has a ton of experience and is another set of eyes and ears that can help us dial our cars in. He’s a huge asset. There are few drivers as good as Michael on a superspeedway. He’s as much a threat to win this race as any of us.”

NOTES:

CHASSIS:
Primary: 810 has not raced. Backup : 753 finished 30th in the 2014 Daytona 500

CREW CHIEF BILLY SCOTT: The 2014 Daytona 500 marked the first race for No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Crew Chief Billy Scott. The 36-year-old began racing motorcycles as a 5-year-old and stock cars when he turned 15. He worked in the truck series as a mechanic before he returned to college to obtain an engineering degree. After graduating in 2005 Scott worked at Robert Yates Racing and began as an engineer at MWR in 2008. He has served exclusively as the No. 55 team’s lead engineer the last two seasons. 

AARON’S: Aaron’s joined MWR in 2000 serving as a primary sponsor in Sprint Cup and Nationwide races. The Atlanta-based company has grown from 500 to 2,100 stores in that time. Aaron’s carries only the best brand names in furniture, electronics, appliances and computers and offers a variety of flexible payment options. It’s really easy to get started owning at Aaron’s – you are pre-approved for up to $2,500 in merchandise without needing credit. Visit Aarons.com for more information.

#ASKMWR: Throughout race weekends in 2014 MWR will collect questions hash-tagged #AskMWR on its @MWRteam Twitter handle. No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Jackman Wes Evans will host a 3-minute video each Wednesday on www.michaelwaltripracing.com featuring MWR experts answering the best fan questions from the weekend. 
 
FANTERN: MWR is offering fans a chance to become an official MWR Fantern. This person will get the opportunity to be an “intern” on race day with MWR; duties including helping the pit crews with set-up activities, attending driver appearances and getting full access to the pit and garage areas. Fans can write in a submission to webmaster@michaelwaltrip.com or share a video on our social channels explaining why they should be the Fantern at the race of their choosing during the 2014 season.

MWR SPEED ROUND: Watch Brian Vickers and Crew Chief Billy Scott answer some off-beat questions during MWR’s Video Speed Round at www.michaelwaltrip.com. Click here to watch

AARON’S NEW COMMERCIAL: Watch Aaron’s new “Own It” commercial featuring Brian Vickers and Michael Waltrip that began airing nationally in April: . Click here to watch.

  • FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: 
@brianlvickers
@mw55
@mwrteam
@aaronssports
@aaronsinc
@toyotaracing
  •  VICKERS TALLADEGA STATS:
RaceStFinLapsMoneyStatusLed
2004-093927188/18875,620running2
2004-292136164/18869,400overheating0
2005-093737139/19482,625crash0
2005-29276190/190109,875running6
2006-09333188/188172,300running7
2006-3091188/188228,850running17
2007-30339144/18870,500crash8
2008-0985188/188122,375running4
2008-30935134/19079,650running10
2009-09308188/188136,648running2
2009-331213191/191112,648running0
2010-091929195/200121,798crash13
2011-08938115/188106,964running0
2011-32305188/188135,964running3
  • VICKERS CAREER STATS
YearRacesWinT5T10PoleLed
20035 of 36000011
200436 of 36004287
200536 of 3605101315
200636 of 361591126
200723 of 360150106
200836 of 360361232
200936 of 3614136101
201011 of 36003027
201136 of 3603707
20128 of 360350158
201317 of 36126019
20149013031
11 years28932771111,220

- Michael Waltrip Racing

Aric Almirola 75/1 odds to win at Talladega

Career best 10th last spring at talladega; he's 75/1 to win Sunday
Welcome Gwaltney to the hood of the No. 43 Ford

Heading to Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, the No. 43 Gwaltney team is confident they can contend for a win. Aric Almirola and team showed a lot of speed at superspeedways during Speedweeks at Daytona and expect the same this weekend. The team rebuilt the car after the crash in Daytona and worked in the wind tunnel to find a good aero package for this weekend, and they’re confident the car will do well in the draft this weekend.

Almirola raced 14 times in a NASCAR series at the 2.66-mile track. In eight Sprint Cup Series starts, he posted his best finish of 10th in the No. 43 Ford last spring. He tallied his best finish of second twice in the Truck Series in 2009 and 2010.

Almirola Weekend Chatter
“You go into Talladega knowing you have a one in 43 chance of winning the race, but you have the same chances of leaving with a wrecked racecar. The new Chase format really fits this race, though. Points are really important but having a chance at a win is even more important. Roush Yates built a great engine package for Daytona, and we expect the same this weekend. After the wreck in Daytona, the team completely rebuilt our superspeedway chassis and spent time in the wind tunnel working on an aero package. They feel confident that we’ll race well in the draft. We’ll try to stay out of trouble and be at the right place at the end to contend for the win.

“Gwaltney will be back on the car this weekend for the first time this season. So, hopefully, we can get our Ford Fusion up front and fight for a win this weekend.”

About Richard Petty Motorsports
A performance and marketing driven company, Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty and successful business entrepreneurs Andrew Murstein and Douglas Bergeron, is one of the most recognized brands in all of motorsports. With a history of over 200 wins and business partnerships with national and global leaders, today the race operation fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Aric Almirola pilots the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion with primary partners Smithfield Foods, U.S. Air Force, STP, Strike Ten Entertainment and Fresh From Florida, and Marcos Ambrose drives the No. 9 machine with primary partners STANLEY, DEWALT, Mac Tools and Twisted Tea. In addition, Dakoda Armstrong wheels the No. 43 WinField Ford Mustang full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The team is headquartered in Concord, N.C.

- Breaking Limits Marketing for Richard Petty Motorsports

Gilliland a candidate to win at Talladega, 100/1 odds offered

Gilliland finished second last spring; he's 100/1 to win Sunday
Love’s Travel Stop Ford Pushed Teammate to Victory in 1-2 Finish in 2013

STATESVILLE, APRIL 29, 2014 - David Gilliland, driver of the No. 38 Love’s Travel Stops Ford, comments on racing at Talladega Superspeedway, where he pushed teammate David Ragan to Front Row Motorsports’ first victory in a 1-2 Ragan-Gilliland finish one year ago:

“We learned a lot at Daytona in February. I felt like I had one of the best speedway cars I’d ever had. So I have a lot of confidence going back to Talladega. Obviously, it was a big race for us last year for sure. David (Ragan) and I and our whole Front Row Motorsports team have had this one circled on our calendar for a long time. We’re looking forward to going back with Love’s Travel Stops again and seeing if we can’t pull off another 1-2 finish but with the 38 in front this time.

“With the speed we had in Daytona, if we can duplicate that same speed in Talladega in comparison to the field, it’s going to be wide open for us. The opportunity is definitely going to be there to be in Victory Lane.

“Love’s has a new partner on the car with them this week: Trucking Moves America Forward. It’s a new initiative to promote the benefits of the trucking industry — something that we know a lot about and something that’s obviously close to Love’s Travel Stops. We’ll try to keep that quarter panel with their logo nice and clean so we can show it off in Victory Lane.”

JUST THE FACTS: Gilliland has 13 Sprint Cup career starts at Talladega Superspeedway … His top finish at Texas is 2nd (2013) … He has one pole, and two top-five and four top-10 finishes at the 2.66-mile oval … Love’s Travel Stops returns as primary sponsor at Talladega, with the addition of Trucking Moves America Forward to the car (www.truckingmovesamerica.com).

About Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports is a race-winning organization competing in NASCAR’s premier Sprint Cup Series, fielding the No. 34 of David Ragan, the No. 38 of David Gilliland and the No. 35 Ford. The team is owned by Bob Jenkins and is headquartered just outside of Charlotte, N.C. FRM was named to INC Magazine’s “INC 5000″ list in 2012, recognizing the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. The team’s partnership base is representative of more than $200 billion of the U.S. economy and includes organizations such as Ford Motor Company, CSX Transportation, Love’s Travel Stops, Farm Rich, Taco Bell and Long John Silver’s. Visit teamfrm.com.

- Breaking Limits Marketing for Front Row Motorsports

Talladega Storylines: 2014 Aaron's 499

Long shots winners do occur often at Talladega
NASCAR Storylines for Week of April 28, 2014

Below are the NASCAR storylines for the three national series for the week of April 28, 2014.

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES – AARON’S 499, SUNDAY, MAY 4, 1 P.M. ET ON FOX

Talladega Provides Dark Horses Best Chance Of Making Chase
Talladega is the ultimate Wild Card; it’s the great equalizer. Take for instance last spring’s race where David Ragan and David Gilliland gave Front Row Motorsports its first 1-2 finish or Jamie McMurray’s victory in last fall’s event. The wins were both drivers’ only victory of 2014. In 2009, Brad Keselowski landed Phoenix Racing in Victory Lane for the first time, and Vickers surprised everyone in fall 2006 when he crossed the finish line first at Talladega. With changes made to how one qualifies for the Chase, a surprise winner Sunday could very well lead to a surprise championship contender.

Logano Wins Exciting Richmond Race, Second Victory Of 2014
After seven different winners to begin 2014, Joey Logano became the second driver to capture two wins, joining Kevin Harvick. Logano’s Richmond victory guarantees he will be among the top-16 drivers on the Chase Grid provided he finishes in the top 30 in points at the end of the regular season and attempts to qualify for every race. Logano and his teammate Brad Keselowski have developed a penchant for starting races up front, which is important at Talladega. In 2014, Logano has started on the first two rows in five races, while Keselowski has started on the first row six times.

Earnhardt Strong At Talladega, Could Find Second Win
If Dale Earnhardt Jr. is looking for his second win of 2014 to further cement his place in the Chase, Talladega is the most likely location for him to do so. The popular driver has celebrated in Victory Lane at the 2.66-mile superspeedway five times in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, more than any other track, including four straight from fall 2001 to spring 2003. Earnhardt started the season with a victory at Daytona, the only other restrictor-plate track on the schedule. In addition, his father Dale Earnhardt holds the track record with 10 wins.

Four Champions Still Seeking First Win Of 2014
Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth have 14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships between them. The foursome, however, has zero wins among them nine races into the 2014 season. Chances are most of them, if not all, will have scored at least one victory before the Chase begins. All four past champions have at least one win at Talladega Superspeedway – the site of their next opportunity to get in the wins column – with Gordon leading the way with six. Johnson has two wins, while Stewart and Kenseth both have a win apiece.

McMurray Goes For Two In A Row At Talladega
Jamie McMurray was a surprise winner last season at Talladega and judging by his season so far another win at the 2.66-mile superspeedway isn’t unfathomable. Through the first nine races of the season, he’s finished outside the top 20 only twice and has a best finish of sixth at Auto Club. In 23 races at Talladega, McMurray has two wins, six top fives and seven top 10s, including a win in the fall 2009 event. In addition, he has two victories at Daytona International Speedway – the only other restrictor-plate track on the schedule.

NASCAR NATIONWIDE SERIES – AARON’S 312, SATURDAY, MAY 3, 3 P.M. ET ON ESPN

Alabama Native Darrell Wallace Jr. Returns To Nationwide

Darrell Wallace Jr. returns to the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the first time since 2012 at Talladega Superspeedway. The Alabama native will pilot the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing in his fifth career Nationwide start. In his previous four starts, Wallace earned one pole (Dover) and three top-10 finishes.

JRM Adds Win No. 4 To 2014
With four wins under their belt in 2014, JR Motorsports is looking better than ever. Regan Smith, Chase Elliott and Kevin Harvick have accumulated an impressive four wins in eight races, including the organization’s first 1-2 finish at Richmond this past weekend. Smith won the season opener at Daytona before Elliott won back-to-back races at Texas and Darlington. Harvick won last Friday night’s event at Richmond. Smith captured his first victory for JRM at Talladega last spring.

Hornish Makes First Start Of 2014 For JGR
Sam Hornish Jr. makes his first start of 2014 in the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Talladega with a different team and number. Talladega will be the first of seven starts he will make this season behind the wheel of the No. 54 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Hornish finished second in the series standing last year with Team Penske.

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES – SFP 250, FRIDAY, MAY 9, 8:30 P.M. ET ON FOX SPORTS 1

Burton Looks To Turn Season Around At Kansas

After a successful test at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway last week, Jeb Burton heads to Kansas Speedway, another 1.5-mile track, in two weeks hoping to turn his season around. Burton switched rides during the offseason and has not had the finishes he has hoped for so far, but that could change at Kansas. Burton scored his lone truck series win on another 1.5-mile track (Texas) last season, and Kansas will be the first race of 2014 on a track that size.

Blaney To Perform Double-Duty
Ryan Blaney has been a regular in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for more than two years. He is currently fourth in the points standings. The young driver picked up a NASCAR Nationwide Series win last season at Kentucky, and finished ninth most recently at Richmond on Friday night. When the truck series returns to action in two weeks in the SFP 250 at Kansas, he will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut for the team on Saturday night.

- NASCAR

Talladega Track Facts: 2014 Aaron's 499

Anything can happen quickly at Talladega 
Talladega Superspeedway Data
Season Race #: 10 of 36 (05-04-14)
Track Size: 2.66-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 33 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 33 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 16.5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 4,300 feet
Backstretch Length: 4,000 feet
Race Length: 188 laps / 500 miles
 
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Talladega
Ricky Stenhouse Jr..................... 94.7
Matt Kenseth.............................. 91.6
Dale Earnhardt Jr........................ 91.5
Kurt Busch.................................. 87.4
Brian Vickers.............................. 87.3
Jimmie Johnson.......................... 85.1
Brad Keselowski......................... 84.4
David Ragan............................... 84.2
Aric Almirola............................... 87.3
Jamie McMurray.......................... 83.3
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2013 races (18 total) among active drivers at Talladega Superspeedway.
 
Qualifying/Race Data
2013 pole winner:
None – due to inclement weather
 
2013 race winner:
David Ragan, Ford
148.729 mph, (03:26:02), 05-05-13
 
Track qualifying record:
Bill Elliott, Ford
212.809 mph, 44.998 secs. 04-30-87
 
Track race record:
Mark Martin, Ford
188.354 mph, (02:39:18), 05-10-97
 
 

Talladega Superspeedway:
History
·         Construction began on what was then known as the Alabama International Motor Speedway on May 23, 1968.
·         The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was held on Sept. 14, 1969 – won by Richard Brickhouse.
·         The name changed to Talladega Superspeedway in 1989.
·         Fourth repaving completed on Sept. 19, 2006.
Notebook
·         There have been 89 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, one NSCS event in 1969 and two races per year since 1970.
·         Talladega Superspeedway is tied with Michigan International Speedway for holding the ninth most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points paying races (89).  
·         433 drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega; 297 in more than one.
·         Dave Marcis leads the series in starts at Talladega with 61. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 42 starts; followed by Joe Nemechek with 38.
·         Bobby Isaac won the inaugural Coors Light pole at Talladega in 1969 with a speed of 199.466 mph. Isaac won the first three poles at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.
·         36 drivers have Coors Light poles at Talladega, led by Bill Elliott with eight. Joe Nemechek leads all active drivers with four.
·         10 drivers have won consecutive Coors Light poles at Talladega. Bill Elliott holds the record for most consecutive poles at Talladega with six (1985 - 1987).
·         Youngest Talladega pole winner: Jimmie Johnson (04/21/2002 – 26 years, 7 months, 4 days).
·         Oldest Talladega pole winner: Mark Martin (10/23/2012 – 52 years, 9 months, 14 days).
·         43 different drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway, led by Dale Earnhardt with 10. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with six.
·         Richard Childress Racing has the most wins at Talladega in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 12; followed byHendrick Motorsports with 11.
·         Nine different manufacturers have won in the NSCS at Talladega; led by Chevrolet with 38 victories; followed byFord with 21.
·         13 of the 89 (14.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega have been won from the Coors Light pole. Jeff Gordon (2007) is the only active driver to be able to accomplish the feat. 
·         The outside front row (second-place) starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega. 
·         33 of the 89 (37%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega have been won from the front row: 13 from the pole and 20 from second-place.
·         62 of the 89 (69.6%) NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Talladega have been won from a top-10 starting position.
·         7 of the 89 (7.8%) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Talladega have been won from a starting position outside the top 20.
·         The deepest in the field that a race winner has started at Talladega was 36th, by Jeff Gordon in the spring of 2000.
·         Youngest Talladega winner: Bobby Hillin Jr. (07/27/1986 – 22 years, 1 month, 22 days).
·         Oldest Talladega winner: Harry Gant (05/06/1991 – 51 years, 3 months, 26 days).
·         Buddy Baker and Tony Stewart are tied for theseries’ most runner-up finishes at Talladega with six each.
·         NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top-five finishes at Talladega with 23. Jeff Gordonleads all active drivers with 15. 
·         Dale Earnhardt leads the series in top-10 finishes at Talladega with 27. Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with 19.
·         Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average starting position at Talladega with a 10.125.
·         Brad Keselowski leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 14.200.
·         There have been seven NSCS races resulting with a green-white-checkered finish at Talladega Superspeedway: spring of 2005 (188/194), fall of 2005 (188/190), spring of 2007 (188/192), fall of 2008 (188/190) spring of 2010 (188/200), fall of 2012 (188/189) and spring of 2013 (188/192).
·         Only two of the 89 races at Talladega Superspeedway have been shortened due to weather conditions: spring of 1987 and fall of 1996.
·         Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway five times; most recently fall of 2013. 
·         Jamie McMurray (10/06/2002) made his series debut at Talladega Superspeedway.
·         David Gilliland (10/08/2006) and Travis Kvapil (10/05/2008) posted their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light poles at Talladega.   
·         2012 series champion Brad Keselowski (04/26/2009) and Brian Vickers (10/08/2006) posted their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins at Talladega.   
·         Nine drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series have posted consecutive wins at Talladega Dale Earnhardt Jr.leads the series in consecutive wins at Talladega after posting four straight from the fall of 2001 – 2003.  
·         11 of the 12 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners at Talladega Superspeedway participated in at least one or more races before visiting Victory Lane. Brad Keselowski is the only active series driver to winat Talladega in his first appearance.   
·         Matt Kenseth competed at Talladega Superspeedway 25 times before winning the fall of 2012; the longest span of any the 12 active NASCAR Sprint Cup Series winners.
·         Matt Kenseth (25), Tony Stewart (19), Kevin Harvick (18), and David Ragan (12) all made 10 or more attempts before their first win at Talladega.
·         Joe Nemechek leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Talladega without visiting Victory Lane at 38.
·         Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway was the (04/17/2011) race won by Jimmie Johnson with a MOV of 0.002 second – the MOV is tied with the 2003 Darlington race as the closest finishes in the NSCS using electronic scoring. 
·         Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in laps led at Talladega with 843 laps led in 42 starts.
·         Three female drivers have competed at Talladega in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Janet Guthrie, Patty Moiseand Danica Patrick.
Driver
Starting Position
Finishing Position
Date
Race Name
Janet Guthrie
13
32
5/1/1977
Winston 500
Janet Guthrie
9
34
8/7/1977
Talladega 500
Janet Guthrie
12
29
8/6/1978
Talladega 500
Patty Moise
36
33
7/30/1989
Talladega Diehard 500
Danica Patrick
23
33
5/5/2013
Aaron's 499
Danica Patrick
23
33
10/20/2013
Camping World RV Sales 500
 
NASCAR in Alabama
·         There have been 108 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races among seven different tracks in Alabama.
Track Name
City
NSCS
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega
89
Birmingham International Raceway
Birmingham
8
Montgomery Motor Speedway
Montgomery
6
Lakeview Speedway
Mobile
2
Chisholm Speedway
Montgomery
1
Dixie Speedway
Birmingham
1
Huntsville Speedway
Huntsville
1
 
·         68 drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as Alabama.
·         Nine drivers from Alabama have won at least one race in NASCAR’s three national series; five have won in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Driver
NSCS
NNS
NCWTS
Bobby Allison
84
2
0
Davey Allison
19
0
0
Neil Bonnett
18
1
0
Donnie Allison
10
0
0
Red Byron
2
0
0
Rick Crawford
0
0
5
Steve Grissom
0
11
0
Cale Gale
0
0
1
Darrell Wallace Jr
0
0
1