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One of the wildest and most unpredictable races of the season is taking center stage on Saturday afternoon for the Nationwide Series. The one time each year when the Nationwide stars roll into Talladega, a show is always put on and by the end of the race, fans jaws have dropped. One of the few races that can give a clear example of the  “wow” factor is this one and a phenomenal show is always at the biggest and boldest tracks on the circuit, Talladega.

The Aaron’s 312 is taking place Saturday, May 4, 2013 and the green-flag will wave at 3:18 PM EST with 117 gut-wrenching laps making up the 311.22 miles in the race.  Fans expect excitement every lap and every mile. Saturday afternoon’s weather forecast doesn’t look promising with a 70% chance of rain expected and a high of 59 F. It’s not typical Alabama weather, but with the new Air Titan, NASCAR could dry up the track quickly and continue as scheduled. The TV race broadcst is on ABC and the radio version of the broadcast is on MRN.

Every ending to a Talladega race usually features similar aspects of a green-white-checker finish, carnage and even more carnage. Last year’s Aaron’s 312 had just about all of that and a very exciting finish concluded a wild race. Joey Logano made a move on Kyle Busch coming to the checkers in the tri-oval and Logano timed that move perfectly and  was able to maneuver around Busch to take the win. The two-car tandem style of racing created the close finish and fans can expect more of the same this weekend.

The carnage from last year’s event sent Eric McClure to the hospital after a large wreck sent his car nose-first into the inside backstretch wall. After the race at Daytona in February, no one wants to see anyone at the race leave injured and that may create a somewhat calm-mannered race on Saturday afternoon.

Races at Talladega always attract the big-name drivers along with all drivers feeling that wild circumstances could put them up front when it counts giving anyone a chance to win. Some of the Cup drivers who have ducked down into this race include Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne, Joey Logano, Danica Patrick, and Joe Nemechek. Besides the Cup stars in the race, part-time drivers, who don’t show up every weekend, are on the entry list and include John Wes Townley, Joey Coulter and Bobby Gerhart along with others. Just because a driver is in Saturday’s field, doesn’t mean they will do well and the Nationwide regulars will be looking to make sure they are the ones to take the victory in their series.

After a shaky past few weeks, Sam Hornish Jr. will be hoping his odds of succeeding will play in his favor so he can re-grow his points lead. Regan Smith is not far behind Hornish in the standings and he could easily catch-up with a good run this weekend. One little slip by either driver could open the door for third-place Brian Scott and he’ll be making the most out of his opportunity to go after the points lead this weekend.

To pick the winner for this race is difficult and fans have a better chance to pick the winning horse in the Kentucky Derby that’s also occurring on Saturday. The field is wide-open this weekend and it won’t matter where a driver starts or where they are midway through the race, because drivers only need to position themselves at the end to give themselves any chance at winning. Anything could happen in this race and fans better prepare for the wild racing. Talladega always offers surprises and it’s sure to have a handful of surprises lined up for Saturday’s race which could make it the wildest race so far this season.

Event Schedule

(Practice sessions are already in the books)

11:10 AM CT (12:10 PM EST) Nationwide Series Qualifying, televised on ESPN2

2:00 PM CT (3:00 PM EST) Nationwide Series Race, the Aaron’s 312, televised on ABC

Next Race– VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 at the Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina

Entry List via Jayski.com