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Sprint Cup
CUP: Talladega’s Tricks Threaten To Spoil Title Dreams Of Some
SPEED will deliver 20 hours of original NASCAR programming surrounding this weekend's events from Talladega...
Eighteen finalists are in the running for the 2010 Mario Andretti Trophy. (Image: SPEED)
TALLADEGA’S HALLOWEEN TRICKS THREATEN TO SPOIL CHAMPIONSHIP DREAMS OF SOME
SPEED™ LIVE FROM TALLADEGA WITH EVERY PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING SESSION
Joy: “… at the end of this season, the championship margin between Jimmie and Denny could be identical to the difference in the number of points they earn at Talladega … This is the most important Talladega Chase race ever”
Byrnes: “I was more amazed by the fans’ utter fascination, giddiness and awe of what was unfolding before their eyes”
Talladega occupies the same weekend each year in October but never before in the history of the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup has its position on the calendar been so pivotal.
With only six points separating Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin, and restrictor-plate ace Kevin Harvick within sight, Sunday’s wild card race potentially could make or break the championship hopes of some contenders. And SPEED will keep fans up-to-date all weekend on their triumphs and heartbreaks with 20 hours of original content surrounding Talladega.
“I think there is an excellent chance that at the end of this season, the championship margin between Jimmie (Johnson) and Denny (Hamlin) could be identical to the difference in the number of points they earn at Talladega,” said Mike Joy, SPEED’s play-by-play announcer at Talladega. “This weekend is a big question mark to overcome for whoever will be champion. It’s too late for mistakes or for getting caught up in someone else's mess. There's no more margin for error. Whoever succeeds at Talladega is likely going to be the champion.”
That margin of error might be even slimmer for Kevin Harvick. But the spring Talladega winner has past performance on his side.
“With the amount of points that Harvick trails by, he knows he has to finish up near the front just to keep tempo with the 48 and 11,” said SPEED analyst Larry McReynolds. “If the 48 or 11 win the race and Harvick gets in a big wreck, that’s probably the fatal blow for the 29. If all three of them get swept up in the ‘big one,’ it’s still not good for the 29. He needs to make up some ground on those boys this weekend. Isn’t it funny how the shortest track and the longest track on the circuit appear to hold the cards for the championship hopes?”
The significance of this week’s stop at Talladega and its championship implications can’t be overstated when considered within the historical realm of past Talladega editions.
“Of the races that remain, this is the one with the most question marks – the one where your finishing position is affected as much by your competitors as by your own car’s strengths,” Joy said. “Since the Chase format was initiated, this is the closest battle ever going into Talladega. So, this is the most important Talladega Chase race ever.”
Of course, recognizing the critical points at stake and successfully defending them are often contradictory goals at Talladega.
“There is nowhere to hide at Talladega when a wreck breaks out in front of you,” said Steve Byrnes, host of NASCAR Race Hub on SPEED. “If two cars get together, there’s a good likelihood they’ll take out 20 more with them because there’s no time to check up or get to a safe place. If there’s a big wreck, you might as well sweep the parts and pieces into a basket – those cars are used up.”
While most drivers probably would rather sit this one out, or as Jimmie Johnson recently (half) joked, accept a 15th-place finish and stay home on his couch, it’s an entirely different story for the fans. Talladega, in fact, is one race they don’t want to miss.
“What makes Talladega so special is its unpredictability,” Byrnes said. “Fans know they’re guaranteed to see a riveting show. Part of what makes it so fun for the spectators is the fact that 25 guys can win on any given day. We’ve seen Ron Bouchard, Bobby Hillin, Jr. and Phil Parsons win the only Sprint Cup race of their entire careers at Talladega. Watching the unexpected transpire is part of the thrill ride for the fans.
“In 1995, I walked up into the turn one grandstands at Talladega for the first time,” Byrnes continued. “I literally was amazed no one sat down for at least 20 laps when the race started. That day is etched in my memory because although I had covered races there since 1985 and even saw Bill Elliott clock 212 mph, I’d never witnessed the majesty of Talladega from a fan’s perspective. Sure, I was taken aback by the mammoth size of the track and by the drivers’ ability to hold the throttle wide-open; but I was more amazed by the fans’ utter fascination, giddiness and awe of what was unfolding before their eyes.”
SPEED will bring that experience to fans this week with 20 hours of original NASCAR programming surrounding Talladega. In addition to live coverage of Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and all practice and qualifying sessions for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Truck Series, SPEED also will deliver Dave Despain On Assignment: Talladega, an encore look at how the famed speedway came to be, a second live episode of Trackside on Saturday and a Halloween version of NCWTS Setup leading into the Truck Series race. After being forever immortalized as characters from “The Wizard of Oz” and “Batman,” what costume theme will the Truck Series crew choose this weekend?
NASCAR Race Hub (Mondays thru Thursdays at 7 p.m. ET) gets everyone in the Halloween spirit early in the week with a focus on the weekend’s activities and features and guests surrounding Talladega. .
About SPEED™ - SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in more than 80 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.
About FOX Sports Media Group - FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) is the umbrella entity representing News Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets under Chairman & CEO David Hill. Built with brands that are capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FSMG includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FSMG now includes FOX Sports, the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; Fox’s 19 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; SPEED and SPEED2; Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus; FUEL TV; and Fox College Sports. In addition, FSMG also includes FOX Sports Interactive Media, which comprises FOXSports.com on MSN, whatifsports.com and scout.com, reaching over 20 million unique visitors monthly. Also included are Fox’s interests in joint-venture businesses FOX Deportes, Big Ten Network and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network, FOX Sports Skybox restaurants and FOX Sports Grills.
SPEED™ LIVE FROM TALLADEGA WITH EVERY PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING SESSION
Joy: “… at the end of this season, the championship margin between Jimmie and Denny could be identical to the difference in the number of points they earn at Talladega … This is the most important Talladega Chase race ever”
Byrnes: “I was more amazed by the fans’ utter fascination, giddiness and awe of what was unfolding before their eyes”
Talladega occupies the same weekend each year in October but never before in the history of the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup has its position on the calendar been so pivotal.
With only six points separating Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin, and restrictor-plate ace Kevin Harvick within sight, Sunday’s wild card race potentially could make or break the championship hopes of some contenders. And SPEED will keep fans up-to-date all weekend on their triumphs and heartbreaks with 20 hours of original content surrounding Talladega.
“I think there is an excellent chance that at the end of this season, the championship margin between Jimmie (Johnson) and Denny (Hamlin) could be identical to the difference in the number of points they earn at Talladega,” said Mike Joy, SPEED’s play-by-play announcer at Talladega. “This weekend is a big question mark to overcome for whoever will be champion. It’s too late for mistakes or for getting caught up in someone else's mess. There's no more margin for error. Whoever succeeds at Talladega is likely going to be the champion.”
That margin of error might be even slimmer for Kevin Harvick. But the spring Talladega winner has past performance on his side.
“With the amount of points that Harvick trails by, he knows he has to finish up near the front just to keep tempo with the 48 and 11,” said SPEED analyst Larry McReynolds. “If the 48 or 11 win the race and Harvick gets in a big wreck, that’s probably the fatal blow for the 29. If all three of them get swept up in the ‘big one,’ it’s still not good for the 29. He needs to make up some ground on those boys this weekend. Isn’t it funny how the shortest track and the longest track on the circuit appear to hold the cards for the championship hopes?”
The significance of this week’s stop at Talladega and its championship implications can’t be overstated when considered within the historical realm of past Talladega editions.
“Of the races that remain, this is the one with the most question marks – the one where your finishing position is affected as much by your competitors as by your own car’s strengths,” Joy said. “Since the Chase format was initiated, this is the closest battle ever going into Talladega. So, this is the most important Talladega Chase race ever.”
Of course, recognizing the critical points at stake and successfully defending them are often contradictory goals at Talladega.
“There is nowhere to hide at Talladega when a wreck breaks out in front of you,” said Steve Byrnes, host of NASCAR Race Hub on SPEED. “If two cars get together, there’s a good likelihood they’ll take out 20 more with them because there’s no time to check up or get to a safe place. If there’s a big wreck, you might as well sweep the parts and pieces into a basket – those cars are used up.”
TONIGHT! NASCAR Race Hub 6 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday. (Image: SPEED)
While most drivers probably would rather sit this one out, or as Jimmie Johnson recently (half) joked, accept a 15th-place finish and stay home on his couch, it’s an entirely different story for the fans. Talladega, in fact, is one race they don’t want to miss.
“What makes Talladega so special is its unpredictability,” Byrnes said. “Fans know they’re guaranteed to see a riveting show. Part of what makes it so fun for the spectators is the fact that 25 guys can win on any given day. We’ve seen Ron Bouchard, Bobby Hillin, Jr. and Phil Parsons win the only Sprint Cup race of their entire careers at Talladega. Watching the unexpected transpire is part of the thrill ride for the fans.
“In 1995, I walked up into the turn one grandstands at Talladega for the first time,” Byrnes continued. “I literally was amazed no one sat down for at least 20 laps when the race started. That day is etched in my memory because although I had covered races there since 1985 and even saw Bill Elliott clock 212 mph, I’d never witnessed the majesty of Talladega from a fan’s perspective. Sure, I was taken aback by the mammoth size of the track and by the drivers’ ability to hold the throttle wide-open; but I was more amazed by the fans’ utter fascination, giddiness and awe of what was unfolding before their eyes.”
SPEED will bring that experience to fans this week with 20 hours of original NASCAR programming surrounding Talladega. In addition to live coverage of Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and all practice and qualifying sessions for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Truck Series, SPEED also will deliver Dave Despain On Assignment: Talladega, an encore look at how the famed speedway came to be, a second live episode of Trackside on Saturday and a Halloween version of NCWTS Setup leading into the Truck Series race. After being forever immortalized as characters from “The Wizard of Oz” and “Batman,” what costume theme will the Truck Series crew choose this weekend?
NASCAR Race Hub (Mondays thru Thursdays at 7 p.m. ET) gets everyone in the Halloween spirit early in the week with a focus on the weekend’s activities and features and guests surrounding Talladega. .
About SPEED™ - SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. Now available in more than 80 million homes in North America, SPEED, a member of the FOX Sports Media Group, is among the industry leaders in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEED.com, the online motor sports authority.
About FOX Sports Media Group - FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) is the umbrella entity representing News Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets under Chairman & CEO David Hill. Built with brands that are capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FSMG includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FSMG now includes FOX Sports, the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; Fox’s 19 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; SPEED and SPEED2; Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus; FUEL TV; and Fox College Sports. In addition, FSMG also includes FOX Sports Interactive Media, which comprises FOXSports.com on MSN, whatifsports.com and scout.com, reaching over 20 million unique visitors monthly. Also included are Fox’s interests in joint-venture businesses FOX Deportes, Big Ten Network and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network, FOX Sports Skybox restaurants and FOX Sports Grills.
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