Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Denny Hamlin are 1-2-3 in the current standings. Where will they be after Sunday? Blake Smith is here with a review of  WBKR's NASCAR Cup Talladega Race Preview: Aaron’s 499.

Since its inaugural race in 1969, Talladega Superspeedway has been a premiere track for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. This weekend marks the series’ 86th return to the 2.66 mile oval located in Talladega County, Alabama. The last 2 seasons have been record years for the superspeedway with 88 lead changes in 2010 and a record tying .002 margin of victory in last year’s spring race.   

A drafting partner has always been an important factor when going into a superspeedway event. Drivers will spend the weekend’s practice sessions running with different drivers to get a feel of who they like running with. Although when you do the math, 43 cars means one driver is going to be “hung out to dry,” during the 2 car tandem racing we saw in Daytona.

Owensboro’s Michael Waltrip will be returning to the driver’s seat for this weekend’s race. He will be behind the wheel of the #55 Aaron’s Toyota. Unlike the Daytona 500, Waltrip will be guaranteed a starting spot in this weekend’s race. Past champion, Bill Elliott will also be making a return to the track wheeling a 2nd entry for Nemco Motorsports.

Richard Childress leads all teams with a total of 12 victories at Talladega, including last fall’s event. Chevrolet teams are characteristically fast at Superspeedway events but I think for this weekend’s winner, you will have to look into the Toyota camp. With the great results thus far from Michael Waltrip racing and Michael’s skill at superspeedways, my pick for this weekend is Owensboro’s own Michael Waltrip.

Tune into Sunday’s coverage of the Aaron’s 499 beginning at 11AM on WBKR and WBKR.com!

-- Blake Smith

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