Dale Earnhardt Jr., the driver of the #88 Mountain Dew Chevrolet, waves to the crowd on his driver introduction lap prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 15, 2017, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Chris Graythen/Getty Images
During a memorable weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, the reality of his final season in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet intruded insistently into Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s consciousness. Continue reading
Chase Elliott, the driver of the #24 NAPA Chevrolet, spins during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 15, 2017, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Josh Hedges/Getty Images
For 182 laps, Chase Elliott avoided the wrecks that wiped out eight of the 12 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff contenders, but after a restart on the next-to-last restart of a rough-and-tumble race, his luck ran out. Continue reading
Jimmie Johnson, the driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, races Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 SunnyD Ford, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 15, 2017, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
After a competitive beginning, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s bid to win a third straight restrictor-plate race ended in a 16-car wreck triggered by Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series leader Martin Truex Jr. on lap 172. Continue reading
On the Longest Day at Talladega—in a war of attrition that required three red flags and left 14 cars running at the finish—Brad Keselowski powered his No. 2 Team Penske Ford past the No. 31 Chevrolet of Ryan Newman on the final lap to win Sunday’s Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Continue reading
Matt Kenseth, the driver of the #20 DEWALT FLEXVOLT Toyota, sits in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 13, 2017, in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images
Matt Kenseth is a master of deflection—and he’s had plenty of practice heading into Sunday’s Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway (2 pm ET on NBC). Continue reading