Expect a close finish this weekend, as usual.
In the Nationwide side of things, none of the 16 races held at Talladega, under the electronic timing, has produced a greater margin of victory than 0.052 seconds (1997), with Mark Martin winning over Joe Nemechek (No. 87 Chevrolet).
Starting up front doesn’t necessarily mean finishing up front. In 17 previous races, only Nemechek in 1998 and Tony Stewart in 2008 have won from the pole. More than half of the races have been won from outside the top 10, and twice the winner has come from further than 30th.
Speaking of polesitters, only Nemechek and Jeff Purvis have multiple pole positions in Nationwide Series competition at Talladega. Unless Nemechek earns another pole, only reigning series champion Clint Bowyer (No. 29 Holiday Inn Chevrolet) has a chance to score the top starting position.
Talladega Superspeedway is the second longest track on the NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule (Circuit Gilles Villeneuve) and largest oval on the circuit.
