The Round of 8 soldiers on to Talladega in what is typically one of the most crash-filled and interesting of the NASCAR Truck Series season.
In the Round of 8 opener at Bristol two weeks ago, Ty Majeski took his first career win in the Truck Series, simultaneously locking himself into the Championship 4. However, there are seven other drivers who are still yet to lock themselves into the playoffs, but opportunities present themselves at these next two races at Talladega and Homestead-Miami. Reigning series champion Ben Rhodes finds himself 18 points off the cutline after an 18th-place finish at Bristol along with Grant Enfinger, Christian Eckes, and John Hunter Nemechek, all of who have wins in 2022, save for Eckes.
In 2021, Tate Fogleman captured his first, and to date, only victory of his career last October at Talladega, and another surprise winner could be possible on Saturday afternoon.
Was this @TyMajeski restart the deciding factor tonight? pic.twitter.com/X9fxR7Lrop
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 16, 2022
The Track
Located an hour east of Birmingham and hosting the trucks since 2006, Talladega Superspeedway measures 2.66 miles long, making it the longest oval on any NASCAR series calendar. Timothy Peters has had the most success in the Truck Series at ‘Dega, winning 2014, 2015, and 2018.
With a unique start/finish line placement after the tri-oval, a lap at Talladega starts with a dive into the ultra-banked Turn 1. Banked at a whopping 33 degrees and capable of handling cars going four-wide, Turns 1 and 2 present opportunities for drivers to get a jump down the backstretch.
Stretching over 2/3rds of a mile, the “Alabama Gang Superstretch” allows drivers to get up to speeds well over 200 mph. The entrance into Turn 3 is a prime location year after year for “The Big One”. Turn 3 is banked slightly less than Turns 1 and 2 at 32.4 degrees, with Turn 4 differing to 31.5 degrees of banking.
Drivers will make that lap 94 times for just over 250 miles on Saturday afternoon.
Playoff Standings
- Ty Majeski, Thorsport Racing – 1 win (Locked into Championship 4)
- Chandler Smith, Kyle Busch Motorsports – +24 (from playoff cutline)
- Zane Smith, Front Row Motorsports – +21
- Stewart Friesen, Halmar Friesen Racing – +9
———–PLAYOFF CUTLINE————
5. John Hunter Nemechek, Kyle Busch Motorsports – -9
6. Christian Eckes, ThorSport Racing – -13
7. Grant Enfinger, GMS Racing – -15
8. Ben Rhodes, ThorSport Racing – -18
Race Predictions
I believe one of the strongest drivers in the field, John Hunter Nemechek will save himself from elimination with a win at Talladega, the first of his career.
- John Hunter Nemechek
- Matt DiBenedetto
- Matt Crafton
How to Watch (All Times in EST)
- Qualifying: Friday, 9/30 – 2:30 p.m.
- Chevrolet Silverado 250: Saturday, 10/1 – 12:30 p.m. on FS1
