NASCAR Comes to Talladega - Johnson, Hamlin and Harvick in the Chase

     Before you eagle-eyed NASCAR fans say anything, (you’re right) that is not Johnson’s 2010 car pictured above. Now, let’s move on. This weekend, NASCAR comes to Talladega Superspeedway for The Amp Energy Juice 500. The race for NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Championship is down to three drivers with four races left. Jimmie Johnson holds a 6 point lead over Denny Hamlin and a 62 point lead over Kevin Harvick. Talladega could very well be the key to this year’s championship.

     Talladega Superspeedway has long been known for the “Big One”, and you never know how many cars will be taken out when it happens. Talladega Superspeedway is a 2.66 mile tri-oval with 33 degree banks (NASCAR’s steepest) at the highest points. While the fastest qualifying speed was more than 212 mph back in 1987, NASCAR has since put restrictor plates on cars at super speedways reducing speeds to less than 200 mph. As such, there is plenty of three and four (sometimes five) car side-by-side racing on the 48 foot wide track giving everyone an opportunity to suffer for someone else’s mistake.


     This year at Talladega's spring race (The Aaron's 499), after a record 88 lead changes and 29 leaders, Kevin Harvick finished 1st and plans to repeat this weekend. While Hamlin has not won at Talladega (and has only one prior restrictor plate victory), he has finished out the season strong over the past few years and feels confident going into Sunday. Finally, what can I say about Johnson and the “Chase” for the championship. Over the past few years it has been anticlimactic for fans as Johnson racks up championship after championship. Nothing can be taken away from Johnson or his great team, but it makes you wonder whether the Chase has been good for NASCAR. Fortunately, this year the points’ margin is small enough that the Championship remains up for grabs. Hopefully all three contenders will still be racing when the checkered flag is waved. For more racing photography visit http://www.bestdigitalshots.com/