Here are my Brilliant, Bold, and Bonkers picks for this week’s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.
Brilliant – These NASCAR drivers have the best shot to win in Talladega
Brad Keselowski
Brad Keselowski rules Talladega, with more wins than any current driver here. He only has four DNFs, which is impressive for the number of times he’s hit the track. The only thing that concerns me is the rough time he’s had for the last four races, but if he’s gonna turn it around, it’s gonna happen this week.
Wins at Talladega: 5
Top-5 finishes: 7
Top-10 finishes: 11
Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin has been the bridesmaid but never the bride at just about every track this season. He hasn’t left the top-five since Homestead, giving him eight top-fives without a win for 2021, setting a new NASCAR record. If I had to bet on the winner this week, I’d pick the 11 because I think his luck is about to change.
Wins at Talladega: 2
Top-5 finishes: 9
Top-10 finishes: 13
Joey Logano
Sometimes it’s tough to notice when Joey Logano is on a hot streak, but the No. 22 has actually been smouldering in recent weeks. After a win on the Bristol dirt, he’s spent the last two races in the top-10 with a third place finish—nearly a win—last week. Don’t be surprised if Logano sneaks in another number-one if he can stay out of trouble on this wild track.
Wins at Talladega: 3
Top-5 finishes: 8
Top-10 finishes: 10
Bold – These are my NASCAR sleeper picks for Talladega
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Some people can’t think about Talladega without thinking Ricky Stenhouse Jr.—and with good reason. He’s great at superspeedway racing and after racing here since 2013, he has a good handle on the tricky parts. The No. 47 finished second here in June, and there’s a great chance he’ll finish first here this time around.
Wins at Talladega: 1
Top-5 finishes: 6
Top-10 finishes: 9
Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott has been alternating great with okay from week to week. After coming in second twice so far, he’s still chasing his first win of the 2021 NASCAR season. The No. 9 knows his way around tracks like this and I have no doubt he’s gonna put on a show on Sunday.
Wins at Talladega: 1
Top-5 finishes: 4
Top-10 finishes: 5
Ryan Blaney
It’s been a sweet season so far for Ryan Blaney, and it might just get sweeter if he can stay cool and run as well as he has in the past here. Two wins is impressive at this superspeedway for such a young driver and I’m betting on another top-five if not a win.
Wins at Talladega: 2
Top-5 finishes: 3
Top-10 finishes: 4
Bonkers – Stay away from these NASCAR drivers in your fantasy lineup for Talladega this week
Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch has yet to win at Talladega and this is not this time that he’ll come through with a miracle run. It’s been a disappointing season for the No. 1 so far, with only one top-five coming at the Daytona road course. With 10 DNFs to his credit here, I’d leave him out of your NASCAR fantasy lineup on Sunday.
Wins at Talladega: 0
Top-5 finishes: 8
Top-10 finishes: 21
Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. has 13 DNFs at Talladega. Though he’s been hot since Homestead, this might be the week that the No. 19 takes a backseat and tries to just make it to the finish line without an accident.
Wins at Talladega: 0
Top-5 finishes: 2
Top-10 finishes: 8
Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman has hit the track at Talladega 38 times. 38. And the numbers below are what he has to show for it. I’m sure the driver of the No. 6 just wants to get in and get out without any major incidents. Give this guy a pass until he gets to a track where he has a better record.
Wins at Talladega: 0
Top-5 finishes: 7
Top-10 finishes: 16
