NASCAR FanHouse Power Rankings: Talladega

Talladega. The sound of it is enough to make any NASCAR fan's heart race. 500 miles of full-throttle three-wide racing. What's not to like? Jimmie Johnson won last year's edition, taking the first race of the Hendrick sweep at Talladega in 2006. Choosing a victor at Talladega is like eating healthy at McDonald's -- there's too much that can happen to get in the way of it. Anyways, here goes.

1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Talladega is always a great place for Dale Jr. to bounce back into thick of things. Big Red was on his way to a victory last fall until Brian Vickers showed up. He'll do it on his Daddy's birthday

2. Jeff Gordon - Gordon will undoubtedly have a strong car, but Talladega could be the place where something else could derail this magical start to a season.

3. Jimmie Johnson - Bad day at Texas, could never get all the way to the front at Phoenix, and last year at 'Dega, contact from Brian Vickers kept him from making it 3 of 4 in restrictor plate racing. He'll be strong.

4. Matt Kenseth - Kenseth always seems to hang around the front of restrictor plate races but he can't ever finish the job. He's got 3 top fives at Talladega and has finished on the lead lap there 10 of 14 times.

5. Tony Stewart - Half of Tony's finishes at Talladega are in the top five and he's finished 2nd six times at the Alabama track. Zero wins, however, might tell the tale of the tape for this weekend, too. Maybe he can find the media center this weekend, though.

6. Martin Truex Jr. - A fifth place finish in the fall at Talladega was no joke. He's won the last three Busch races there and will be drafting with Dale Jr. all day. This will be one of his better shots to win all year.

7. Kevin Harvick - His car wasn't really that great at Daytona, he just had a great draft towards the end. 2 for 2 in restrictor plate wins? That'll surprise me.

8. Kurt Busch - Kurt was very stout at Daytona, but that car has since been destroyed. Kurt will be decent though -- two top 10s at Talladega in 2006 with Penske.

9. Jeff Burton - I doubt his State Farm Insurance adjuster really wants him racing, and he'll take the cautious approach to Sunday's drafting session. He did finish 4th a year ago.

10. Kyle Busch - The last time Busch was at Talladega, he led 10 laps en route to finishing 11th. It was also the first time he finished a Cup race at 'Dega on the lead lap.

Wildcard & Longshot - The entire field. For all we know, the "Big One" could happen on Lap 1 and Kyle Petty could be the only car to sneak through to win it.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-25-2007 @ 6:39PM

froger said...

It will be another Hendrick show they will make sure

4-26-2007 @ 8:59AM

Phil G said...

Will Michael Waltrip make the race on a track he has won on?

4-26-2007 @ 10:02AM

Sandie said...

Hendrick Motorsports seems to be ahead of the other teams with the COT. I think one of the Hendrick drivers will win Talladega this week. Their teams seem to be working together and off to a great start. I do think Rick Hendrick needs to have a talk with Kyle Busch. Kyle Busch's attitude needs a major adjustment. Mr. Busch needs to realoze that it is a previledge to drive a Cup car and there are plenty of drivers that are as good as he is and would jump for a chance to sit in a Hendrick Cup car!!! Go Jeff Gordon. I hope you capture the poll and win this race. I hope this is the year you get your NEXTEL CUP CHAMPIONSHIP. Jeff shows great sportsmanship and earns the respect he gets from fans and other drivers as well. Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch both could take a lesson from Jeff Gordon.

4-26-2007 @ 1:25PM

John T said...

Talladega once was the worlds fastest speedway lets make nascar lighten up on the cars and let em be rollin thunder again! See ya in Dega! JT

4-26-2007 @ 1:52PM

Courtney said...

I sincerely hope this will not be another win for Hendrick. If the whole season is just going to be them winning, because it's starting to look that way, then I refuse to watch the season even though I love the sport. I'm hoping for either Matt Kenseth of Martin Truex Jr, to win. Matt because, he's been getting really good at superspeedways. I'm sure he would've won at one by now if it hadn't been for wrecks or his engines blowing. And Martin, well in Busch, everytime they went to Talladega or Daytona he would dominate. Even if Tony Stewart or Dale Jr. were in the race. I honestly think that if Martin's first win in cup came anywhere, it would either be in 'Dega or Daytona.

4-26-2007 @ 2:18PM

wait and see said...

I do not agree with Tony Stewart very often but he is right about the flag throwing.

4-26-2007 @ 3:42PM

robert vickers said...

stewart is a bully, always has been and always will be. If he cant have his way he crys or takes it out on the other cars by bumping them, now he takes it out on nascar.

4-26-2007 @ 3:32PM

john said...

Tony, quit complaning and just drive. If you can't win, then maybe you are not good enough. You have sent plenty of other drivers into the wall, what more do you expect, people to get out of your way so you can win. It is what it is, they all play by the same rules, if you have a problem with that then go home.

John

4-26-2007 @ 4:28PM

daisy said...

TONY STEWART IS A BIG CRY BABY. I HOPE HE LOSES THIS TIME AND ALL THE REST OF THE SEASON. I HOPE DALE JR WINS. MAKE IT GOOD BABY FOR YOUR FANS.

4-26-2007 @ 4:58PM

Tara said...

I think vickers has Tony confused with Jeffy Gordon. The biggest crybaby in the circuit.
Jr's had some really bad luck this year, so it's his turn. Dega AND Sr's birthday? It's gonna happen.

4-26-2007 @ 6:08PM

holly said...

I think that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is gonna win, because I think its his lucky track! So get ready for Talladaga ya'll! (I think he'll have extra luck since its SR's birthday!)

4-27-2007 @ 8:25PM

carol said...

i would love to see dale jr win exspecially sunday because of his dads birthday..it would be wonderful..but whoever wins hope its a safe race..

4-28-2007 @ 10:25AM

jeffygordonisoverrated said...

JEFFY 'WHINER BOY' GORDON IS THE MOST OVERRATED DRIVER IN THE HISTORY OF RACING.

4-28-2007 @ 5:22PM

#8 Dle Jr. Girl said...

DALE JR. ROCK'S!! I KNOW THAT HE IS GOING TO WIN ON HIS DADDY'S BIRTHDAY!! GO DAL JR. GO!! YEAH!!

4-28-2007 @ 8:18PM

lee sims said...

Tony is entilted to his own opinion. Personally i don,t think he,s to far off. He is the best driver out there Go smoke!!!!!!!

5-01-2007 @ 12:13PM

Bill said...

I sure was hoping Jr.would win at 'Dega yesterday but he didn't.Maybe Richmond.If he could get this deal done with DEI I think everything would start coming together.To pay 55M for something that should be the kids is preposterous.Theresa will drag DEI down more than she alresdy has.I hope this comes to a head before long.Jr.is the moneymaker at DEI.Dale Sr.would have a stroke if he saw this happening.Go Jr.Go!!!!!!!!!!!