‘Secret’ Allies Help Hamlin Hold Chase Berth

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, walks on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hellmann's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 22, 2016 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo - Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, walks on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hellmann’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 22, 2016 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo – Patrick Smith/Getty Images

With his three Joe Gibbs Racing teammates running at the back of the field throughout Sunday’s race to protect Round of 8 spots, Denny Hamlin had no obvious friends at the front of the field to help him join his teammates in the next round of the Chase.

But Hamlin revealed after finishing third behind Joey Logano and Brian Scott that he had received help from unexpected quarters in doing just enough to beat Austin Dillon for the final berth on a tiebreaker. Continue reading

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Hellmann’s 500 at Talladega Preview

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will take to the track on Sunday, October 23rd at 2 pm ET to race 500.8 miles over 188 laps in the Hellmann’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. NBC Sports Network begins their coverage at 1:30 pm ET and radio coverage is on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

What to Watch For: Heading into Sunday’s Hellmann’s 500 cutoff race at Talladega Superspeedway, Austin Dillon (ninth, tiebreaker), Denny Hamlin (tenth, -6 points below Joey Logano on the cutoff line), Brad Keselowski (11th, -7) and Chase Elliott (12th, -25) are on the outside looking in for advancement to the Round of 8.

Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski can break their tie for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins lead by getting a fifth victory. Continue reading

Martin Truex Jr. Wins Pole for Chase Cutoff Race at Talladega

TALLADEGA, AL - OCTOBER 22: Martin Truex Jr, driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award after qualifying for the pole position for the NNASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hellmann's 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 22, 2016 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

TALLADEGA, AL – OCTOBER 22: Martin Truex Jr, driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Toyota, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award after qualifying for the pole position for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hellmann’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 22, 2016 in Talladega, Alabama. Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Just 13 points to the good entering Sunday’s Round of 12 cutoff race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Martin Truex Jr. gave himself as much of a cushion as possible, winning the pole for the Hellman’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway during Saturday’s knockout qualifying session.

Seventh in the Chase standings, and 13 points ahead of Joey Logano and Austin Dillon, Truex covered the 2.66-mile distance in 49.508 seconds (193.423 mph) to claim the Coors Light Pole Award for Sunday’s race at 2 pm ET on NBCSN that will trim the Chase field from 12 drivers to eight. Continue reading

Ryan Reed Readies for NASCAR Sprint Cup Debut

Ryan Reed, driver of the #16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford, waits as his car is inspected by NASCAR officials prior to qualifying for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway on October 15, 2016 in Kansas City, Kansas. Photo - Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Ryan Reed, driver of the #16 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford, waits as his car is inspected by NASCAR officials prior to qualifying for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway on October 15, 2016 in Kansas City, Kansas. Photo – Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Young driver beats odds to race at NASCAR’s Highest Level

This weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway marks a milestone for Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed, who will attempt to make his Sprint Cup debut in the Hellmann’s 500.  Reed, who in 2011 was diagnosed with diabetes and told he would never race again, will pilot the No. 99 Lilly Diabetes/American Diabetes Association Ford Fusion. Continue reading

Fan4Racing NASCAR Weekend Preview of Talladega with Hot Topics Sound Off – Thursday, October 20, 2016

Every Thursday 8:30 to 10:30 pm ET with host Sharon Burton and co-host Aaron Bearden

Every Thursday 8:30 to 10:30 pm ET with host Sharon Burton and co-host Aaron Bearden

Join host Sharon Burton and co-host Aaron Bearden on Fan4Racing NASCAR Weekend Preview8:30 to 10 pm ET for your complete guide for the upcoming racing at Talladega Superspeedway.

We’re previewing the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series Chase races at Talladega this weekend. We’ll include audio from Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski about testing at Homestead and racing at Talladega.

During NASCAR Hot Topic Sound Off, we’ll discuss the latest news and hot topics from the Sprint Cup, XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series as well as the K&N Pro Series and ARCA Racing Series.

Call 929-477-1790 or tweet @Fan4RacingSite or @AaronBearden93 with any questions or comments during our LIVE broadcast.

Our show begins at 8:30 pm ET on Thursday, October 20, 2016.

As always…Thanks for listening!