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| FAST FACTS |
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Event |
Diehard 500 |
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When |
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (ABC) |
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Where |
Talladega Superspeedway (tri-oval, 2.66 miles, 33 degrees banking in turns).
Talladega, Ala.
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Distance |
500.08 miles (188 laps) |
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Defending champ |
Dale Earnhardt |
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Qualifying |
First round, Friday, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN);
Second round, Saturday, 10:45 a.m. ET (ESPN2, taped) |
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Track Records |
Qualifying record: Bill Elliott, 212.809 mph (1987)
Race record: Mark Martin, 188.354 mph (1997)
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On the Track
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Wed., April 12
I think we are going to see a better race than the Daytona 500 just by the nature of the track, because teams don't have to be as "pure" when it comes to handling. Because of the size and speed of Talladega, a driver can hang on if he's a little off. At Daytona if a driver was a little off, he couldn't hang with the lead pack.
But there are still so many hurdles for these guys to overcome. This is still only the second restrictor-plate race. Guys can test until they are out of breath, but this is still a 2000 Monte Carlo, it's still a Taurus with changes, they'll run with a smaller restrictor plate. They'll have their front-end springs back, but are still using NASCAR's rules in the rear shocks and springs.
There is still so much for teams to overcome to make this a perfect event. The thing about racing at Talladega is just by nature its a thrilling race. On the scale of 1 to 10, Talladega is a 12. To try to uphold the tradition is a huge chore. And if the race happens to drop to an 8.5, people are disappointed.
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Quick game of word association:
I say "Talladega Superspeedway" ... You say?
If you said "Dale Earnhardt" you aren't alone.
The 2.66-mile speed trap is synonymous with the seven-time Winston Cup champion, who swept the 1999 races at Talladega and has taken a record nine trips to the track's Victory Lane in a Cup car, and a few more in Busch and IROC machines. In fact, Earnhardt has won back-to-back races three times at Talladega, yet never won three in a row in his No. 3 Chevrolet.
OK, let's try another one ... "Eight."
That's right, eight different winners in eight Winston Cup races so far in 2000. Look for that streak to end, however, Sunday. Earnhardt is one of those eight winners, along with former Talladega winners Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin. Jarrett finished second to Earnhardt both times in '99, and has finished third or better in seven of his past nine Talladega starts.
Earnhardt, however, won his two '99 races in a '99 Monte Carlo. His 2000 model wasn't a factor in Daytona. If the rule changes, however, do what they are intended to do, the master drafter's No. 3 Chevy should be back up front.
Last one ... "Restrictor-plate racing"
What's that, did I hear someone say "boring?"
Well, don't worry. NASCAR has taken a few steps to prevent another "No Passing Zone" like Daytona.
Not only has the restrictor plate been cut down 1/32nd-of-an-inch, but the choice of front-end springs and shocks, and the ability to alter each, has put some pre-race strategy back into the hands of crew chiefs. This, NASCAR hopes, will allow the draft to be more than just a place to hide, and aid the drivers in passing at speeds approaching 190 mph.
With the extra two inches of front air dam given to the Monte Carlos a month ago, and the rules put into place regarding restrictor plates and springs, don't expect another Ford-dominated day either. While Bill Elliott loves Talladega and was strong during Speedweeks, Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte, Dale Jr. and Steve Park figure to be much bigger factors Sunday in their Chevys. As for the Pontiacs, Tony Stewart was fifth in this race a year ago as a rookie, while Ward Burton took fourth in the Winston 500 last fall.
With eight different winners already in 2000, the marquee of stars still looking for their first win of the season is shrinking. But Gordon, Stewart, Ricky Rudd, Jeremy Mayfield and Terry Labonte could extend the streak to nine non-repeat winners with wins Sunday. Rudd, Mayfield and Stewart round out the top 10 in points despite not having won this season. Labonte is 11th, while Hendrick teammate Gordon is 12th and coming off a season-best fourth-place run in Martinsville.
10 Drivers to Watch
Dale Earnhardt: Don't worry where he starts on Sunday. A year ago, he started 27th and won -- the furthest back a winner has started at Talladega. Leads all drivers with nine wins at Talladega and has 21 top-fives.
Dale Jarrett: If the first Dale doesn't win, this one is a good bet to find Victory Lane for the second time this season. DJ won the restrictor-plate parade at Daytona to open the season and won the 1998 Winston 500. Defending Winston Cup champion could use a solid run after slipping to seventh in points.
Mark Martin: Comes off his 32nd career victory, winning at Martinsville, and has two career wins at Talladega in 1995 and 1997. His victory in '97 set the track race record (188.354). Finished third behind Dales last year in this race.
Bobby Labonte: Started on the pole and won the '98 Diehard 500. Finished second the year before and fourth last year. Has led the points for six races and enters this week with a 36-point bulge over Mark Martin.
Ward Burton: This race may tell if Ward is in the championship hunt for the long run. Enters the race third in points and a constent contender, finishing five of eight races in the top 10. But he's finished in the top five at Talladega just once -- finishing fourth last year's Winston 500.
Bill Elliott: His record-setting qualifying mark of 212.809 mph in 1987 will never be broken with the addition of restrictor plates. He won that race, but hasn't seen Victory Lane at Talladega since. A strong run at Daytona, however, makes him a darkhorse Sunday.
Ricky Rudd: Same story as Elliott. Dominated Speedweeks in his new 28 Ford and finished third here in the Winston 500 when his Tide ride had Yates power under it.
Jeff Gordon: If momentum means anything, Gordon's got plenty after finishing in the top five for the first time in 12 races last week. His lone victory at Talladega came in the 1996 Diehard 500, but last year he finished 12th without Evernham in the Winston 500.
Tony Stewart: He'll start only his third Cup race at Talladega after finishing fifth and sixth at the track in '99. It's been a frustrating sophomore season so far for the reigning rookie of the year, but heads to Talladega off a strong run at Martinsville.
Sterling Marlin: Once upon a time, Marin won consecutive races at Talladega in the fall of 1995 and spring of 1996. He's usually more competitive on superspeedways. Owns 13 top 10s and nine top fives in 34 career starts at Talladega.
Ron Buck is ESPN.com's auto racing editor.
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ALSO SEE
Weber: Yates makes Jarrett, Rudd tough at Talladega
Furr: Talladega is no Martinsville
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