2021 NASCAR thread

Congratulations, Alex Bowman #48. Emotional win. Respect!

 

Top 10 day... great race.

 

I just thought of this last night...

Who would of thought coming into the 2021 season the only HMS driver without a win would be Chase.

 

Me. Except I aint looking forward to the 22 up front blocking like usual. Hopefully someone teaches him a lesson this weekend.

 

Talladega by the numbers

Wins by Manufacturer (over past ten years):

Ford-12
Chevrolet-5
Toyota-2

Active Driver Wins (over past ten years):

Keselowski-4
Logano-3
Blaney-2
Hamlin-2
Stenhouse-1
Almirola-1
Elliott-1

Active Driver Averages (over past ten years):

Preece 11.5
Stenhouse 12.73
Reddick 13.5
Elliott 14.9
Almirola 15.77
Ku Busch 15.78
Harvick 16.05
Keselowski 16.21
Logano 16.63
Hamlin 16.7

Sources:
https://www.driveraverages.com/nascar/track_avg.php?trk_id=20
https://www.racing-reference.info/tracks/Talladega_Superspeedway

Notes:
Given the spread of winners and their corresponding average finishes, it's a checkers or wreckers type deal- and that's the only thing that's predictable about Talladega. Well- and Ford has dominated as of late here. Specifically Penske. Matt D in the 21 is looking for vengeance, so keep an eye on him. Preece is quietly consistent here. Elliott and Hendrick are always strong, but Elliott seems to be in an early-season slump. He could easily pull through and get his first win of the season here.

Safe bets:
12, 11, 2

My picks:
21, 37, 9

 

my picks
18
11
5

 

I can't tell you how disappointed we were at the last Dega race. DiBenedetto was so good all day and Denny hung out half a lap behind everyone, saving his car. That final turn was a great big cluster. More than anything, I want to be at the Wood Brothers' 100th team win and I was confident that would be the day.

EDIT: What's more is they weren't even finished cleaning up the previous wreck when they went green. The cleanup trucks were still sweeping. it's clear they had to peel off the track, leaving a ton of safety-dry on the track.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF8KS2BBHAq/

 

I was in my car outside a Chinese restaurant screaming and bawling my eyes out like I hadn't since the 2007 500. I have Hulu live tv so I can watch cable anywhere i want and my wife and i decided to get something to eat.. I had to go outside because my emotions were so high...... to be that close and come up short... to the 11 yet again...

 

Yeah, my kiddo was more upset that it was Denny that won but he called it from the get-go. He said "Denny is going to hold back all day and save his car but I hope he doesn't win." We were both rooting hard for the 21 that day.

 

Good to know I had help.

 

We’re getting closer!!! ‘Dega
https://www.instagram.com/p/CN2tlcDnuSr/?igshid=ieqi3ozmnmvv

 

I almost got Saturday tickets but decided to pass. Looking at the weather forecast makes me appreciate my decision.

 

"If you ain't first, you're last" -Ricky Bobby

 

Looks like good weather for the race today.

 

It’s race day. Let’s get Rowdy!

 

Penske cars could be tuff today.

 

Bye Joey!!!

 

One down