The biggest question for any driver in the Chase for the NEXTEL Cup is “What will happen at Talladega?” It’s a track where some dreams come true and others are crushed. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has to make the latter happen if he has any hope of being the 2006 NASCAR champion.
Earnhardt sits seventh in the NEXTEL Cup standings after finishing 13th, 21st, and 10th in the first three Chase races. He’s been in the middle of the pack the entire Chase, but Sunday’s race at Talladega could have Junior taking a giant leap in points.
Talladega, the longest track on the NASCAR circuit, is unique because of its use of restrictor plates. The high-banked turns on the 2.66-mile superspeedway let drivers keep the pedal to the metal all the way around the track, and restrictor plates keep the high speeds in check.
Thin pieces of aluminum with four, quarter-sized holes are placed between the racecar’s carburetor and intake manifold, reducing the amount of air entering the cylinders, decreasing horsepower and speed. The decreased horsepower creates a situation in which cars race in tight packs two- and three-wide around the track. In these situations, drafting becomes integral to getting to the front of the pack.
When a racecar speeds around the track it punches a hole in the air. If another car follows the lead car close enough, it doesn’t have to break that wind resistance and is faster. When the second car builds up enough momentum, it can pass the first car for the lead. Drivers that belong to multi-car teams will work with their teammates to draft both on the track and during green flag pit stops.
Drafting is the only way drivers can pass each other at Talladega and they will use the technique to push cars in front of them to gain speed. Bump drafting is the cause of many of the multi-car wrecks fans love to see in stock car racing.
Earnhardt leads all active NASCAR drivers with five wins at Talladega. Many drivers will look to Earnhardt for drafting help. Teammate Martin Truex, Jr., winner of the past three Busch Series races at Talladega, will start. Paul Menard, DEI’s Busch competitor, will attempt to make the field as well.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc., Junior’s team, is the king of restrictor plate racing, but has slowly been unseated by Hendrick Motorsports. The Hendrick cars have struggled throughout the Chase, and Sunday is an excellent opportunity for Earnhardt, Jr. to reclaim his throne.
If Earnhardt can come off with a win, he stands a chance to get back in the hunt for the Cup, especially if any of the points leaders get involved in a large, multi-car wreck.
The Big One is an almost certain phenomenon this weekend. The track received its first repaving since 1979 and the new smooth surface will provide a lot of grip for the drivers. Expect to see record-setting qualifying times and faster than normal racing. The smooth surface will get the drivers more comfortable on the track than in previous years, putting someone in a position to make a careless mistake.
For Earnhardt and the rest of the Chasers, staying out of trouble and finishing the race is crucial to keeping Chase hopes alive. The standings will inevitably be jumbled after Sunday, and for Earnhardt, a strong finish could put him in front again.
