Post by Blaise Zebrataur on Apr 26, 2015 10:00:46 GMT -5
After a wreckfest of a race at Richmond, drivers and teams drove down the east cost to Alabama for the site of the 10th race of the season at the famed Talladega Superspeedway hoping that this would be the week that good luck would be on their side despite the fact knowing that the "Big One" was lurking to strike at any time and doom a driver's chances of making the chase for the cup. One driver who would not be seeing Talladega would be Joe Ruttman as Joe Gibbs decided to replace Ruttman for Kenny Wallace "Ruttman did a fair job in the car for two events but we felt we needed to find a full time driver, Kenny will drive this week at Talladega and next week at Darlington we will sign a driver to finish the remainder of the year for us."
For the first time since 2000, the #3 car will be racing again at Talladega as well as for the first time since 2005, Kerry Earnhardt will attempt to make the field driving a car that has the #3 font his father used to run while using the scheme Kerry ran in 2004 to 2005. The car, owned by Richard Childress Racing, will have to qualify on time and will be sponsored by Bass Pro Shops. "It feels good to be back at Talladega" Kerry said after running some practice laps. "I know a lot of people think the 3 should have never run on track again but Richard called me and said he would like me to drive it at Talladega, so here I am. Hopefully we can give a good show to the fans and my father will be smiling down on me during the race."
Heading into Talladega, Phoenix Racing, owned by James Finch, is hoping for some good luck this week. Ever since Kurt won at Bristol and finished 2nd one week later to his brother Kyle at Auto Club, Kurt has failed to finish once in the Top 10 and has a best finish of 21st at Martinsville since and has dropped out of the top 10 in points but does currently hold the Wild Card #1 spot. Also needing a good finish this week is Phoenix's Racing #09 entry who is currently sitting in 46th in Owner Points. Ever since Finch brought back the 09 at Martinsville, the best finish is 19th with Bobby Hamilton Jr. driving at Kansas as well as rookie Steadman Marlin, son of legendary driver Sterling Marlin, failing to make the race last week at Richmond. This week Finch again taps Geoffrey Bodine as the driver and will be trying to win their second event of the year as well as the second at Talladega.
One team that will be returning this week, to much fanfare, will be Yates Racing. The famous #28 will be making it's return to the Cup Series for the first time since 2009 as Robert will once again be the man controlling the operations. "As we all know Rick Hendrick owns the #88 right now so I'm forced to only use the 28 as my entry. "Robert said after practice had been completed. "My original pick to drive my car was J.J. Yeley but I thought to myself and I looked at the talent in the Cup Series and I chose Jason Leffler, one of the most talented drivers in all of NASCAR." One thing going against Yates Racing is the fact they have no provisionals and will be forced to race their way into the field each week. "I have faith in Jason and know he will do a great job."
One week after Curtis Key's The Motorsports Group #40 made their Cup Series debut at Richmond and finished a respectable 21st, Steve Park will once again pilot the #40 car with a new look as TMG logo will be on the car for this week. "I am so proud of Park's performance last week, hopefully he can break into the Top 20 this week at Talladega."
Here is the betting odds for the Aaron's 499:
Brad Keselowski:5-1
Kyle Busch:4-1
Clint Bowyer:3-1
Matt Kenseth:3-1
Jeff Gordon:2-1
For the first time since 2000, the #3 car will be racing again at Talladega as well as for the first time since 2005, Kerry Earnhardt will attempt to make the field driving a car that has the #3 font his father used to run while using the scheme Kerry ran in 2004 to 2005. The car, owned by Richard Childress Racing, will have to qualify on time and will be sponsored by Bass Pro Shops. "It feels good to be back at Talladega" Kerry said after running some practice laps. "I know a lot of people think the 3 should have never run on track again but Richard called me and said he would like me to drive it at Talladega, so here I am. Hopefully we can give a good show to the fans and my father will be smiling down on me during the race."
Heading into Talladega, Phoenix Racing, owned by James Finch, is hoping for some good luck this week. Ever since Kurt won at Bristol and finished 2nd one week later to his brother Kyle at Auto Club, Kurt has failed to finish once in the Top 10 and has a best finish of 21st at Martinsville since and has dropped out of the top 10 in points but does currently hold the Wild Card #1 spot. Also needing a good finish this week is Phoenix's Racing #09 entry who is currently sitting in 46th in Owner Points. Ever since Finch brought back the 09 at Martinsville, the best finish is 19th with Bobby Hamilton Jr. driving at Kansas as well as rookie Steadman Marlin, son of legendary driver Sterling Marlin, failing to make the race last week at Richmond. This week Finch again taps Geoffrey Bodine as the driver and will be trying to win their second event of the year as well as the second at Talladega.
One team that will be returning this week, to much fanfare, will be Yates Racing. The famous #28 will be making it's return to the Cup Series for the first time since 2009 as Robert will once again be the man controlling the operations. "As we all know Rick Hendrick owns the #88 right now so I'm forced to only use the 28 as my entry. "Robert said after practice had been completed. "My original pick to drive my car was J.J. Yeley but I thought to myself and I looked at the talent in the Cup Series and I chose Jason Leffler, one of the most talented drivers in all of NASCAR." One thing going against Yates Racing is the fact they have no provisionals and will be forced to race their way into the field each week. "I have faith in Jason and know he will do a great job."
One week after Curtis Key's The Motorsports Group #40 made their Cup Series debut at Richmond and finished a respectable 21st, Steve Park will once again pilot the #40 car with a new look as TMG logo will be on the car for this week. "I am so proud of Park's performance last week, hopefully he can break into the Top 20 this week at Talladega."
Here is the betting odds for the Aaron's 499:
Brad Keselowski:5-1
Kyle Busch:4-1
Clint Bowyer:3-1
Matt Kenseth:3-1
Jeff Gordon:2-1
