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All You Need to Know About the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 Race at Talladega Superspeedway

Published 10/02/2020, 5:30 AM EDT

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via Reuters

This weekend, the field heads to the action-packed Talladega Superspeedway for the second race of the Round of 8 in the playoffs.

With every passing weekend, the battle in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs further heats up. Along with that, it also throws up surprises and changes the championship equation altogether. Kurt Busch’s win at Las Vegas last weekend is a testament to that.

The YellaWood 500 is one of the most anticipated races this season and is expected to be eventful, continuing the Talladega legacy.

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When and where to watch the YellaWood 500?

The YellaWood 500 is the first day-race of the 2020 playoffs so far. It begins at 2 pm (ET) on Sunday, October 4. The race will be live on NBC and the NBC Sports App, MRN, as well as the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About the track at Talladega Superspeedway

The largest oval track on the NASCAR circuit, Talladega is spread over 2.66 miles. The track hosted its first-ever race in 1969 and was formerly known as Alabama International Speedway.

At Talladega, no driver has more wins than Dale Earnhardt. ‘The Intimidator’ won 10 races at the track.

Talladega has an asphalt racing surface. The variable banking in the turns runs up to 33 degrees, whereas the frontstretch banking is 16.5 degrees.

The 188-lap race is split into three stages, with the first two stages of 60 laps each.

Are fans allowed for the race at Talladega Superspeedway?

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Fans will be allowed in a limited capacity for the race weekend. Campers are allowed only for three nights and there will be no frontstretch seating for the Truck and Xfinity races on Friday and Saturday.

Tickets are available on the Talladega Superspeedway website.

Rules package for the race

NASCAR’s 2020 rules package for superspeedway will be in effect at Talledega. It will be a 510 horsepower race as further engine restrictions are imposed by NASCAR. Aero ducts have been removed for the superspeedway race.

What tires will be used at Talladega?

The Goodyear Eagle Speedway Radials are set to be used at the event. The track is not a high-wear one, so it will see some wear and tear. Strategy and risk-taking will thus be important this weekend, as pitting while not losing a lap is possible here.

USA Today via Reuters

The line-up for the race

Denny Hamlin starts on pole position at Talladega, with Las Vegas winner Kurt Busch in the front row with Hamlin. Martin Truex Jr starts in third place, as Alex Bowman and Kevin Harvick round out the top-five.

Kyle Busch, for whom time is running out to maintain a streak of at least win in 15 straight seasons, starts in 6th place. Behind him are Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano.

USA Today via Reuters

What happened the last time at Talladega Superspeedway?

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Ryan Blaney has won the last two races at Talladega Superspeedway. The No. 12 Team Penske driver won both races by the thinnest of margins. His win during the regular season this year was by just 0.007 seconds.

He won the 2019 playoff race at Talladega by the same margin.

Meanwhile, Team Penske drivers have five wins in the last six races at the iconic track. Keselowski and Logano are the two remaining Penske drivers in playoff contention. The two drivers have five and three wins respectively at Talladega.

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WATCH: When Brendan Gaughan Brushed off a Horrific 360-Degree Flip at Talladega

 

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Written by:

Aayush Majumdar

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Aayush Majumdar is a NASCAR content strategist, a Tennis Writer, and a sports analyst at EssentiallySports. He is well-tenured as a tennis and NASCAR writer, with over 900 articles across both sports. After pursuing a Post Graduate program in Sports Management, Aayush explored various roles in Sports Media, including a Sports Reporting role at a leading English daily.
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