Few tracks strike fear and thrill into the hearts of NASCAR drivers like Talladega Superspeedway. Since opening in 1969, the 2.66-mile monster has earned its reputation as both a fan favorite and a career hazard. We do not have to look very far, as the 2024 YellaWood 500 gave us the biggest “Big One” in the history of NASCAR, with 28 cars getting caught under this avalanche of problems. Legends have risen, dreams have shattered, and sheet metal has flown, all in the name of speed.
From Dale Earnhardt’s wild wins to Brad Keselowski’s chaotic climbs, Talladega has never played nice. But beneath the roar of the engines and bumper-to-bumper chaos lies a deeper game. There’s a high-stakes chess match disguised as a demolition derby. And now, Chase Elliott, one of NASCAR’s most methodical minds, is pulling the curtain back on what really goes on behind the white-knuckle madness.
The strategy drivers don’t talk about: Drafting into victory
Talladega might look like mayhem, but it’s a calculated battleground. Chase Elliott put it plainly: “Talladega is just craziness.” With speeds soaring past 190 mph and cars inches apart, even veterans like Elliott acknowledge the chaos. But within that chaos lies a dance—timed moves, precision drafting, and mental math that rarely make the highlight reel.
Unlike traditional ovals, Talladega and Daytona are drafting tracks. As Elliott explained, “Daytona and Talladega both are drafting tracks for us.” That means drivers rely on the aerodynamic pull of cars in front to gain speed. It’s not about raw horsepower; it’s about positioning. For example, take a look at the 2022 GEICO 500 at Talladega.
Ross Chastain wasn’t the fastest car all day, but he stayed tucked in the draft, conserved fuel, and played the aero game to perfection. On the final lap, while others made moves too early or got side-drafted, Chastain stayed planted in the middle lane and cruised to victory, without ever leading a lap until the last few hundred yards. That’s Talladega chess, not checkers.
But it’s not just about staying glued to bumpers. Rather, it’s about survival. “We’re racing so close together for 3 or 4 hours,” Elliott said. That proximity makes every twitch of the wheel risky. One wrong move, and it’s carnage. Talladega has seen some of NASCAR’s most infamous pileups, with 20-car wrecks being part of its legacy.
“CRAZINESS”: @chaseelliott on the thrill of NASCAR’s return to Talladega — this Sunday on FOX. pic.twitter.com/AmuYJWsAYC
— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) April 24, 2025
Look no further than the 2019 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega. On lap 106 of the 2019 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega, Alex Bowman attempted to block a fast-charging Joey Logano, resulting in contact that sent Bowman spinning and triggered a 10-car pileup. The crash collected several playoff drivers, including Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Larson, and ended Bowman’s day early. Bowman took responsibility, calling it a misjudged block.
Elliott pointed to pit stops and fuel as another overlooked angle: “A lot of strategies pertain to pit stops and fuel mileage.” At superspeedways, misjudging fuel windows can cost not just seconds, but the entire race. Teams gamble on cautions, split pit cycles, and plan for late-stage charges while keeping cars in the draft to conserve fuel.
And through it all, staying out of the mess becomes a full-time job. “The huge challenge for Talladega is just trying to keep yourself in a good position,” Elliott emphasized. Unlike other tracks where raw pace can separate contenders, Talladega compresses the field, meaning even the best driver is one bump away from disaster.
Strategy here isn’t a luxury; it’s survival. And Chase Elliott has a connoisseur-like eye for details here.
Chase Elliott chases his third Talladega win
Chase Elliott returns to Talladega Superspeedway with his sights set on a third career win at NASCAR’s biggest and most unpredictable track. The Georgia native, already a two-time Talladega winner, has a knack for mastering the high-speed chess game that defines this 2.66-mile oval. Elliott first broke through at Talladega in April 2019, holding off teammate Alex Bowman and a hard-charging field to deliver Chevrolet its first win of the season.
Elliott’s second triumph came in the 2022 YellaWood 500, a playoff thriller where he surged from the inside line to the outside in the closing laps, using a timely push from Erik Jones to edge out Ryan Blaney by just 0.046 seconds. That win, his series-leading fifth of the season, punched his ticket to the Round of 8 and set off the famous siren at the Dawsonville Pool Room, a family tradition whenever an Elliott wins.
Talladega’s wild pack racing and unpredictable “Big Ones” mean no driver is ever a lock, but Elliott’s blend of patience, aggression, and strategic drafting has made him a perennial threat. With 19 career Cup wins and momentum on his side, Elliott is poised to chase history and join an elite group with three or more Talladega victories. For the sport’s most popular driver, another win at ‘Dega would be more than a stat. It would be a celebration for fans and family alike.
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