Catchfence

TALLADEGA, Ala. – NASCAR’s “wild card” in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Talladega Superspeedway, looms large for many Chase drivers as the series heads to Loudon this weekend.

Those that should be most concerned with tackling the high banks of Talladega on Oct. 31 are the four drivers averaging finishes outside the top-20; Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer.

However, Busch has won before at Talladega Superspeedway, something even older brother Kurt can’t claim despite his Chase-driver leading 12.8-place finishing average

Below is a breakdown for all twelve drivers at Talladega:

1.    Denny Hamlin – Points: 5060   Car: No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry

Team: Joe Gibbs Racing

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 9    Wins: 0    Poles: 0    Top 5’s: 3    Top 10’s: 2    Average Finish: 19.3

2009 AMP Energy 500 Finish: 38    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 4

2.    Jimmie Johnson – Points: 5050   Car: No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet

Team: Hendrick Motorsports

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 17    Wins: 1    Poles: 2    Top 5’s: 4    Top 10’s: 7    Average Finish: 17.8

2009 AMP Energy 500 Finish: 6    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 31

3.    Kevin Harvick – Points: 5030   Car: No. 29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet Impala

Team: Richard Childress Racing

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 19    Wins: 1    Poles: 1    Top 5’s: 3    Top 10’s: 7    Average Finish: 15.5

2009 AMP Energy 500 Finish: 21    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 1

3.     Kyle Busch – Points: 5030   Car: No. 18 M&M’s Toyota Camry

Team: Joe Gibbs Racing

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 11    Wins: 1    Poles: 0    Top 5’s: 1    Top 10’s:2    Average Finish: 23.2

2009 AMP Energy 500 Finish: 15    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 9

5.    Kurt Busch – Points: 5020   Car: No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger

Team: Penske Racing

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 19    Wins: 0   Poles: 0   Top 5’s: 6    Top 10’s: 13    Average Finish: 12.8

2009 AMP Energy 500 Finish: 30    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 8

6.    Tony Stewart – Points: 5010   Car: No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet

Team: Stewart-Haas Racing

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 23    Wins: 1    Poles: 0   Top 5’s: 9   Top 10’s: 12    Average Finish: 14.8

2009 AMP Energy 500 Finish: 35    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 16

6.     Greg Biffle – Points: 5010   Car: No. 16 3M Ford Fusion

Team: Roush Fenway Racing

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 15    Wins: 0    Poles: 0    Top 5’s: 1    Top 10’s: 2    Average Finish: 22.0

2009 AMP Energy 500 Finish: 4    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 17

8.     Jeff Gordon – Points: 5000   Car: No. 24 Du Pont Chevrolet

Team: Hendrick Motorsports

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 35   Wins: 6   Poles: 1   Top 5’s: 13   Top 10’s: 16    Average Finish: 16.7

2009 AMP Energy 500 Finish: 20    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 22

8.    Carl Edwards – Points: 5000   Car: No. 99 Aflac Ford Fusion

Team: Roush Fenway Racing

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 12    Wins: 0    Poles: 0    Top 5’s: 1    Top 10’s: 3    Average Finish: 22.5

2009 AMP Energy 500 Finish: 14    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 11

8.     Jeff Burton – Points: 5000   Car: No. 31 CAT Chevrolet Impala

Team: Richard Childress Racing

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 33   Wins: 0    Poles: 0    Top 5’s: 4    Top 10’s: 13   Average Finish: 18.4

2009 Energy 500 Finish: 5    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 32

8.    Matt Kenseth – Points: 5000   Car: No. 17 Crown Royal Ford Fusion

Team: Roush Fenway Racing

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 21    Wins: 0    Poles: 0    Top 5’s: 3    Top 10’s: 6    Average Finish: 18.7

2009 AMP Energy 500 Finish: 24    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 28

8.    Clint Bowyer – Points: 5000   Car: No. 33 Cheerios Chevrolet Impala

Team: Richard Childress Racing

Talladega Statistics – Starts: 9    Wins: 0    Poles: 0    Top 5’s: 1    Top 10’s: 3    Average Finish: 21.4

2009 AMP Energy 500 Finish: 12    2010 Aaron’s 499 Finish: 7

Will more NASCAR history be made when racing returns to Talladega Superspeedway for the AMP Energy 500 weekend? Race fans will have to be here to find out.   NASCAR action returns with the Mountain Dew 250 fueled by Fred’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and Race Number Seven in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the AMP Energy 500, Oct. 29 – 31.  To experience it all, call 1-877-Go2-DEGA or visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.

- Talladega Superspeedway, Press Release