NASCAR Fantasy Fusion: Round of 12 Closer at Talladega

Track Classification: Superspeedway

Similar Tracks: Daytona International Speedway •  Auto Club Speedway (Fontana) •

Indianapolis Motor Speedway • Michigan International Speedway • Pocono Raceway

Distance: 2.66 Miles

by Carol D'Agostino

Drivers with Most Top 10s (Last 5 Years):

By Race

Both with 4 - Clint Bowyer and Brad Keselowski

Both with 3 - Martin Truex Jr. and Ryan Newman

By Track

Clint Bowyer - 6
Brad Keselowski -5
All with 4 - Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Matt Kenneth, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Paul Menard and Ryan Newman

Recent Pole Winners:  

2015 Jeff Gordon
2014 Brian Vickers

Last Year's Race Winner: Joey Logano

The Likely Suspects: Talladega fantasy picks are totally literal and figurative. You make your choices, like you do every week, but let's face it, they can be more "fantasy" than almost any other week. Even the best drivers can be victim of the bump-and-run for the win or the ultimate big one. I focus on blending past performance with mastery of  restrictor-plate racing. And the truth is, not having Dale Earnhardt Jr. as an option this week is going to be difficult.

I will be looking at these drivers to perform well: Clint Bowyer, Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, Matt Kenseth, Paul Menard and Jimmie Johnson.

My 2 Cents: My no-brainer pick this week is a tie between Brad Keselowski and Kurt Busch. I will round out my team with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Newman, Austin Dillon and Paul Menard. I'll complete finish it up with Alex Bowman and Brian Scott.

My Final Four: Brad Keselowski, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Paul Menard and Alex Bowman

Points to Ponder:

• Four active drivers are tied for the most poles at Talladega with one each – Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne and Brian Scott.
• Although 45 different drivers have won at Talladega Superspeedway over the years, Dale Earnhardt leads them all with 10 victories. Brad Keselowski leads all active drivers with four wins.
• Richard Childress Racing and Hendrick Motorsports are tied for the most wins at Talladega in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with 12 each. 
• Second place is the most proficient starting spot in the field, producing more winners (20) than any other starting position at Talladega. 
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr. leads all active drivers in the Cup Series in average finishing position at Talladega with a 12.200.

Enjoy the race! Post your comments here or follow me on Twitter at @purplecatpr.