Sunday, October 3, 2021

Unpredictable Talladega Playoff Weekend

Unpredictable Talladega Superspeedway Playoff Weekend UPDATE: The NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway has been postponed due to inclement weather. The YellaWood 500 will now take place Monday at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN/NBC Sports App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. 

 

 

#NASCAR - Unpredictable Talladega Superspeedway Playoff Weekend

 

Known as one of the biggest hurdles in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Talladega Superspeedway opens the gates and unleashes the postseason contenders to battle it out in Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90). Expect the unexpected in this weekend’s event at Talladega as it is literally anyone’s to win and with the stakes so high and the Playoff standings so tight, the competition could reach new heights.

 

 

  • Next Race: Chevrolet Silverado 250  
  • The Place: Talladega Superspeedway  
  • The Date: Saturday, October 2  
  • The Time: 1 p.m. ET  
  • TV: FS1, 12 p.m. ET  
  • Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)  
  • Distance: 250.04 miles (94 Laps) 
    • Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20) 
    • Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 40) 
    • Final Stage (Ends on Lap 94)

 

Five times a non-Playoff driver has won the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway:

 

  • • In 2005, Dale Jarrett won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points.
  • • In 2006, Brian Vickers won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 16th in points. 
  • • In 2009, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 22nd in points. 
  • • In 2011, Clint Bowyer won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 13th in points. 
  • • In 2013, Jamie McMurray won the Playoff race at Talladega; he was 14th in points. 

 

Twice a non-Playoff driver has won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs: 

  • • In 2010, Jamie McMurray won the fifth race in the Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 14th in points. 
  • • In 2013, Brad Keselowski won the fifth race in Playoffs at Charlotte; he was 16th in points.

 

 

Clinch Scenarios: Trying to advance at Talladega

Just two races left for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff challengers in the Round of 12 to secure their spot in the Round of 8. Denny Hamlin, with his win last weekend at Las Vegas, is the only driver locked into the next round, leaving seven spots still up for grabs as the series heads to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend for the YellaWood 500 (Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) the fifth race of the 2021 postseason.

 

Already Clinched

 

The following driver has clinched a spot in the eight-driver field of the next round:

  • Denny Hamlin.

 

Can clinch via points

 

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 7th winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott or Joey Logano.

 

 

If there is a new winner from Brad Keselowski or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being 56 points above the 6th winless driver in the standings.

 

  • • Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano: Could only clinch with help this weekend.

 

Can clinch via win

 

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: 

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

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