Will There Be NASCAR Drama at “Dega” in the GEICO 500?

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500
TALLADEGA, AL – APRIL 29: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Haas Automation Demo Day Ford, William Byron, driver of the #24 Liberty University Chevrolet, Paul Menard, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, and Michael McDowell, driver of the #34 Love’s Travel Stops/Roller Bites Ford, are involved in an on track incident during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 29, 2018 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

The NASCAR drivers and teams are coming back after a weekend off to race at Talladega Superspeedway in the GEICO 500. They may have needed that time off to prepare for this weekend’s race.

The track is simply called “Dega” by many Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series fans. The massive track allows for speeds of more than 200 MPH. That means the cars will be running in packs to take advantage of the draft. That style of racing requires not only speed and handling in the cars, but also focus and solid nerves in the drivers. The drivers are controlling a car going that fast just inches apart from the other cars. One small mistake can send a car spinning collecting multiple cars in what has become known as the “Big One.”

More times than not it is not if the “Big One” will happen, but WHEN will it happen. The fall 2018 race at the track was an exception to the rule as the drivers made it through the race without the “Big One.” That makes me wonder if the track will bring things back to normal with an epic version of the “Big One” this time?

Here is a look at the track and race data for this weekend’s race.

Talladega Superspeedway Data
Track Size: 2.66-miles
Banking/Turn 1 & 2: 33 degrees
Banking/Turn 3 & 4: 33 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 16.5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length:  4,300 feet
Backstretch Length:  4,000 feet

GEICO 500 Data
Season Race #:
10 of 36 (04-28-19)
Race Length: 188 laps / 500 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 55 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 78 laps

These ten active drivers have sown the best ability at holding focus and having the nerves to race 200 MPH inches apart well during their careers.

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Talladega
Chase Elliott ………………………… 91.3
Kurt Busch…………………………… 90.5
Joey Logano…………………………. 89.0
Jimmie Johnson…………………….. 88.8
Brad Keselowski……………………. 88.6
Ryan Blaney…………………………. 86.4
Denny Hamlin……………………….. 85.0
Ricky Stenhouse Jr………………… 83.1
Kevin Harvick……………………….. 82.8
Kyle Busch…………………………… 81.2
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2018 races (28 total) among active drivers at Talladega Superspeedway.

There are 10 active drivers that have been able to avoid the “Big One” and make it to Victory Lane at Dega.

Brad Keselowski – 5 wins
Joey Logano – 3 wins (including this race in 2018)
Clint Bowyer – 2 wins
Jimmie Johnson – 2 wins
Aric Almirola – 1 (fall race in 2018)
David Ragan – 1 win
Denny Hamlin – 1 win
Kevin Harvick – 1 win
Kyle Busch – 1 win
Ricky Stenhouse Jr – 1 win

Will there be a “Big One”? Which drivers will be collected in it if it happens? Which driver will avoid the drama and race to a win? All of these questions will be answer this Sunday, April 28th starting at 1 PM central time (2 PM eastern time) at Talladega Superspeedway in the GEICO 500.

By: Buck Stevens