TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – JUNE 22: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Sylvania Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on June 22, 2020, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Ryan Blaney wins by 0.007 of an inch in the NASCAR Cup Series, GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Monday, June 22nd.
An event that began with a massive show of support for Bubba Wallace ended with one of Wallace’s best friends, Ryan Blaney, celebrating in Victory Lane for the second straight race at Talladega Superspeedway.
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – JUNE 21: The NASCAR Toyota Track Drying Team works to dry the track prior to the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500at Talladega Superspeedway on June 21, 2020, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
Inclement weather forces postponement of the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on June 21, 2020
Lightning strikes and persistent rain forced the postponement of Sunday’s GEICO 500. The NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway will race Monday afternoon.
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – JUNE 14: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on June 14, 2020 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NASCAR Cup Series Expectations Check: One-third of the way into the 2020 season is time to do a check on the drivers and whether they’re meeting expectations to this point of a unique year.
As crazy as the 2020 season has been, normalcy is gradually returning to NASCAR. Eight races have been run since the ten-week-long hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the season to its one-third completion mark. Drivers needed an adjustment period to the post-pandemic era of the sport; no practice, no qualifying, no fans, two races in one weekend, the list goes on and on. As the races continue to roll on by, these adjustments have allowed some drivers to surprise, and caused others to disappoint. With the season at a bit of a junction heading into Talladega, here’s a quick look at which drivers are exceeding expectations, and which drivers are flopping.
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – JUNE 20: Justin Haley, driver of the #11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, celebrates with Ross Chastain, driver of the #10 Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet, after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Unhinged 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on June 20, 2020 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Justin Haley, Ross Chastain gives Kaulig Racing the daily double with big wins in the Unhinged 300, and the Dash 4 Cash $100,000 bonus at Talladega Superspeedway.
On a banner day for Kaulig Racing at Talladega Superspeedway, Justin Haley got his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory and Ross Chastain got the cash.
Drew Dollar, driver of the No. 15 Lynx Capital / Dollar Concrete Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway for the ARCA Menards Series on Saturday, June 20, 2020. Photo – Adam Glanzman/ARCA Racing
Drew Dollar’s first win in the General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway continues Venturini Motorsports dominance this season with three victories in three races.
The most exciting part of the ARCA Menards Series General Tire 200 at Talladega Superspeedway was the last two laps. In the end, it was Drew Dollar’s No. 15 Venturini Motorsports Toyota taking the checkered flag for the rookie’s first win in the series. The victory was an emotional celebration for Dollar.