GFT Facts and Stats Friday: NASCAR Cup Series Yellawood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
4 October 2024
By Bob Francis, Managing Editor
Go Full Throttle Racing News
TALLADEGA, AL — With non-Playoff driver Ross Chastain snatching the win at Kansas Speedway to open the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 12, all 12 postseason challengers find themselves searching for a way to clinch their spot in the Round of 8. But this weekend, the competitors will have to face one of the biggest hurdles in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs — Talladega Superspeedway — and its 2.66-miles of asphalt with 33 degrees of banking in the turns in Sunday’s YellaWood 500 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90) — the sixth and final drafting style race of the season.
NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
Sunday, October 6, 2024 — 2 p.m. ET
The Purse: $9,222,964
TV: NBC, 1:30 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 500 miles (188 Laps)
— Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 60)
— Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 120)
— Final Stage (Ends on Lap 188)
Track Facts
Track Length: 2.66 Miles
Race Length: 500 Miles (188 Laps)
Grandstand Seating Capacity: 80,000+
First Race: September 14, 1969 — Talladega 500
Banking in Corners: 33 degrees
Banking on Frontstretch: 16.5 degrees
Banking on Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch: 4,300 feet
Backstretch: 4,000 feet
Qualifying & Race Records
Qualifying: Bill Elliott, Ford, 212.809 mph (44.998 sec.); April 30, 1987
Race: Mark Martin, Ford, 188.354 mph (2:39:18); May 10, 1997
Track Records
Most Wins: 10 — Dale Earnhardt
Most Poles: 8 — Bill Elliott
Most Top Fives: 23 — Dale Earnhardt
Most Top 10s: 27 — Dale Earnhardt
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Round of 12
Hendrick Motorsport’s Willam Byron finished runner-up to Chastain at Kansas last week and in doing so jumped to the top of the Playoff standings, up +34 points on the Round of 8 cutline. Following Byron above the next round’s cutline in the points are Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney (+28), Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell (+28), Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson (+18), Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin (+11), Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman (+8), Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott (+4) and Team Penske’s Joey Logano (+4). A formidable group of four former series champions.
Sitting on the other side of the Round of 8’s cutoff are 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick (-4), Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez (-14), Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe (-25) and Team Penske’s Austin Cindric (-29).
Playoff Clinch Scenarios: Talladega Superspeedway
Just two races left for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff competitors in the Round of 12 to secure their spot in the Round of 8, and plenty of opportunity awaits the postseason contenders as all eight spots are still up for grabs at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend in the YellaWood 500 (Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) the fifth race of the 2024 postseason. Below are this weekend’s clinch scenarios.
Already Clinched
No drivers have clinched a spot in the 8-driver field of the next round.
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 8th winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Alex Bowman or Chase Elliott.
- William Byron: Could only clinch with help
- Ryan Blaney: Could only clinch with help
- Christopher Bell: Could only clinch with help
- Kyle Larson: Could only clinch with help
- Denny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help
- Alex Bowman: Could only clinch with help
- Chase Elliott: Could only clinch with help
If there is a new winner from Joey Logano 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 7th winless driver in the standings.
- William Byron: Could only clinch with help
- Ryan Blaney: Could only clinch with help
- Christopher Bell: Could only clinch with help
- Kyle Larson: Could only clinch with help
- Denny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help
- Alex Bowman: Could only clinch with help
Can Clinch Via Win
The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:
- William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, Daniel Suarez, Chase Briscoe, Austin Cindric
Playoffs’ Ultimate Wildcard: Talladega Superspeedway
The 2024 season marks the eighth consecutive year Talladega Superspeedway will host the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2017–2024) — race №31 of the 36-race season.
Talladega is the third different track to host the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs; alongside Charlotte Motor Speedway (2004–2014) and Kansas Speedway (2015–2016). The 2.66-mile track is the largest paved oval the series competes on with 33 degrees of banking in the turns.
Talladega Superspeedway is one of four tracks that has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs since its inception into the series in 2004, along with Martinsville Speedway, Kansas Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.
Talladega has occupied five different spots on the postseason schedule. The Alabama superspeedway has hosted the third race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2004–2005); the fourth race (2006–2008 and 2012); the fifth race (2017–2024); the sixth race (2011, 2013–2016); and the seventh race (2009–2010).
A total of 15 different drivers have won the 20 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff races at Talladega Superspeedway (2004–2024), and six of the 15 are active this weekend.
Five drivers lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Playoff race wins at Talladega Superspeedway with two victories each: Ryan Blaney (2019, 2023), Brad Keselowski (2014, 2017), Clint Bowyer (2010, 2011), Jamie McMurray (2009, 2013) and Joey Logano (2015, 2016).
Four of the six active Talladega Playoff race winners are postseason contenders this year — Chase Elliott (2022), Denny Hamlin (2020), Ryan Blaney (2019, 2023) and Joey Logano (2015, 2016).
During the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Era (2004-Present), only once has the winner of the Talladega Superspeedway Playoff race gone on to win the title in the same season — Ryan Blaney (2023).
The worst finish in a NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway by a driver that went on to win the title that same season was 37th, by Kyle Larson in 2021.
Playoff Race №5: Diving into the Cup Playoffs’ midway point
The NASCAR Cup Series is reaching the midway point of the postseason, and the fifth race of the Playoffs can be a crucial moment in a competitor’s championship run.
Heading into this weekend, a total of 15 different drivers have won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
At Talladega on Sunday, six of the 15 drivers that have won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are entered in the Cup race.
Four of the six active drivers that have won the fifth race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are currently competing in the Playoffs this weekend — Chase Elliott (2022 Talladega), Denny Hamlin (2021 Talladega), Ryan Blaney (2019 and 2023 Talladega) and Joey Logano (2015 Kansas).
NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins in the fifth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with three victories (2004, 2005, 2009 — all at Charlotte Motor Speedway).
RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski (2013 Charlotte and 2017 Talladega) and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney (2019 and 2023 at Talladega) lead all active drivers in wins in the fifth race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with two victories each.
This weekend’s YellaWood 500 will be broken up into three stages the first two stages will be 60 laps each and final stage will be 68 laps. Interestingly, 21 different drivers have won a stage this season, the most since stage racing was introduced in 2017.
Practice and Qualifying
No practice this weekend. On-track activity for the NASCAR Cup Series begins with Busch Light Pole Qualifying on Saturday, October 5 at 1:30 p.m. ET and will broadcast on the USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
This weekend, Tyler Reddick (ninth), Daniel Suarez (10th), Chase Briscoe (11th) and Austin Cindric (12th) find themselves south of the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 8 cutline as they head into the Playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway.
TALLADEGA-SPECIFIC STATISTICS
NASCAR Cup Series 2024 Top 12 in the Playoff Standings at Talladega
TALLADEGA-SPECIFIC STATISTICS
(Following statistics are Loop Data from 2005 — Present)
1 — William Byron (№24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 89.1
2024 Rundown
· Three wins, nine top fives, 15 top 10s, one pole
· Led 285 laps
· Average Finish of 14.7
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· Three top fives, five top 10s
· Average Finish of 15.385, eighth-best
· Average Running Position of 13.050, third-best
· Driver Rating of 86.0, sixth-best
· 1,512 Laps in the Top 15 (62.9%), third-most
2 — Ryan Blaney (№12 Team Penske Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 88.4
2024 Rundown
· Two wins, nine top fives, 14 top 10s, one pole
· Led 466 laps
· Average Finish of 15.4
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· Three wins, six top fives, eight top 10s
· Average Finish of 14.750, fifth-best
· Average Running Position of 12.389, second-best
· Driver Rating of 91.0, series-best
· 2,567 Laps in the Top 15 (68.6%), second-most
3 — Christopher Bell (№20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 93.9
2024 Rundown
· Three wins, 11 top fives, 18 top 10s, two poles
· Led 843 laps
· Average Finish of 14
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· One top five, two top 10s, two poles
· Average Finish of 21.111, 32nd-best
· Average Running Position of 18.435, 19th-best
· Driver Rating of 70.3, 25th-best
· 780 Laps in the Top 15 (47.4%), 13th-most
4 — Kyle Larson (№5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 99.8
2024 Rundown
· Five wins, 11 top fives, 14 top 10s, five poles
· Led 1,551 laps
· Average Finish of 14.3
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· One top five, three top 10s
· Average Finish of 22.895, 36th-best
· Average Running Position of 18.374, 18th-best
· Driver Rating of 76.6, 16th-best
· 1,824 Laps in the Top 15 (51.6%), eighth-most
5 — Denny Hamlin (№11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 93.0
2024 Rundown
· Three wins, ten top fives, 14 top 10s, four poles
· Led 918 laps
· Average Finish of 15.0
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· Two wins, 11 top fives, 16 top 10s, one pole
· Average Finish of 16.730, 14th-best
· Average Running Position of 17.368, 10th-best
· Driver Rating of 81.8, eighth-best
· 3,451 Laps in the Top 15 (49.5%), ninth-most
6 — Alex Bowman (№48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 79.8
2024 Rundown
· One win, seven top fives, 15 top 10s, one pole
· Led 60 laps
· Average Finish of 14.6
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· Two top fives, five top 10s
· Average Finish of 22.941, 37th-best
· Average Running Position of 18.178, 14th-best
· Driver Rating of 73.7, 20th-best
· 1,429 Laps in the Top 15 (45.0%), 17th-most
7 — Chase Elliott (№9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 91.8
2024 Rundown
· One win, eight top fives, 15 top 10s
· Led 213 laps
· Average Finish of 11.3
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· Two wins, five top fives, eight top 10s, two poles
· Average Finish of 14.765, sixth-best
· Average Running Position of 11.898, series-best
· Driver Rating of 90.0, second-best
· 2,224 Laps in the Top 15 (70.3%), series-most
8 — Joey Logano (№22 Team Penske Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 83.4
2024 Rundown
· Two wins, five top fives, nine top 10s, three poles
· Led 282 laps
· Average Finish of 17.8
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· Three wins, nine top fives, 11 top 10s
· Average Finish of 18.516, 19th-best
· Average Running Position of 14.361, fourth-best
· Driver Rating of 87.5, fourth-best
· 3,621 Laps in the Top 15 (62.1%), fourth-most
9 — Tyler Reddick (№45 23XI Racing Toyota)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 91.3
2024 Rundown
· Two wins, 11 top fives, 19 top 10s, two poles
· Led 483 laps
· Average Finish of 12.3
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· One win, one top five, three top 10s
· Average Finish of 19.000, 20th-best
· Average Running Position of 18.931, 23rd-best
· Driver Rating of 67.7, 26th-best
· 701 Laps in the Top 15 (42.6%), 20th-most
10 — Daniel Suárez (№99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 64.9
2024 Rundown
· One win, three top fives, seven top 10s
· Led 152 laps
· Average Finish of 17.8
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· Four top 10s
· Average Finish of 19.867, 25th-best
· Average Running Position of 19.721, 27th-best
· Driver Rating of 67.3, 27th-best
· 1,088 Laps in the Top 15 (39.1%), 23rd-most
11 — Chase Briscoe (№14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 71.3
2024 Rundown
· One win, three top fives, nine top 10s
· Led 43 laps
· Average Finish of 17.6
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· One top five, two top 10s
· Average Finish of 14.571, fourth-best
· Average Running Position of 23.684, 37th-best
· Driver Rating of 66.0, 30th-best
· 343 Laps in the Top 15 (27.3%), 33rd-most
12 — Austin Cindric (№2 Team Penske Ford)
· Season-to-Date Driver Rating: 66.7
2024 Rundown
· One win, two top fives, five top 10s
· Led 227 laps
· Average Finish of 20.1
Talladega Superspeedway Outlook:
· One top five, two top 10s
· Average Finish of 17.000, 15th-best
· Average Running Position of 16.512, eighth-best
· Driver Rating of 78.2, 12th-best
· 467 Laps in the Top 15 (49.3%), 10th-most
GFT AI Race Prediction Model Picks for Talladega
(Will be updated after Practice and Qualifying)
**NOTE** Be sure to follow us on X (aka Twitter) to see the updated GFT NASCAR Fantasy Live picks AFTER our AI models ingest the Practice and Qualifying data. For a Sunday race, this usually happens overnight Saturday and is published Sunday morning at least 2 hours before the green flag.
