Talladega Superspeedway: A High-Stakes Race for Team Penske's Playoff Hopes
The NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture is heating up, and the upcoming race at Talladega Superspeedway is set to be a pivotal moment for Team Penske. For the first time, the fall race at this iconic track is part of the Round of 8, and the pressure is on for the Penske drivers.
A Precarious Situation for Penske:
Team Penske, known for their aggressive strategy at superspeedways, finds themselves in a challenging spot. Both of their playoff contenders are below the cutline, but the team has a secret weapon: Austin Cindric. Cindric, who won at Talladega in April, is the favorite for the race and could be the key to Penske's success.
But here's where it gets interesting: Cindric's teammates, Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, have had mixed fortunes at superspeedways. Blaney, a three-time Talladega winner, has been inconsistent in the Next Gen car, while Logano, known for his bold moves, has struggled in recent drafting races.
Fantasy Fastlane: Strategy and Picks
Must-Start Drivers:
- Austin Cindric (Team Penske, No. 2 Ford): Cindric is a top pick, given his recent win and strong record at superspeedways. He's a safe bet to finish well, despite recent wrecks in drafting-style events.
- William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports, No. 24 Chevrolet): Byron's team has been consistently strong at Talladega, and his average finish in the Next Gen era is impressive. A favorite for the weekend, Byron is a smart choice.
- Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports, No. 9 Chevrolet): Elliott has been racking up points at drafting tracks and has a strong history at Talladega, including a win in 2022. He's a reliable pick for a top-10 finish.
Sleeper Picks:
- Brad Keselowski (RFK Racing, No. 6 Ford): A former Cup champion, Keselowski has an impressive superspeedway record, but he's yet to win in the Next Gen car. He's a sleeper pick with a high potential for a surprise victory.
- Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports, No. 5 Chevrolet): Larson has quietly accumulated the most points at drafting tracks in 2025, despite a lack of wins. His superspeedway struggles make him a risky pick, but he could be due for a breakthrough.
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Hyak Motorsports, No. 47 Chevrolet): All four of Stenhouse's Cup wins are at superspeedways, making him a specialist at these tracks. As the defending winner, he's a solid sleeper choice.
Stay Away From:
- Joey Logano (Team Penske, No. 22 Ford): Despite his aggressive reputation, Logano's recent drafting race results have been underwhelming. His average finish at Talladega in the Next Gen era is his worst, making him a risky pick.
- Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing, No. 11 Toyota): With a spot in the Championship 4 secured, Hamlin might adopt a conservative strategy. His recent drafting track performances have been lackluster, so it's best to hold off on rostering him.
- Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing, No. 45 Toyota): Reddick's recent record at Talladega is mixed, with only one standout victory. His inconsistent results make him a risky choice.
Featured Matchups and Lineup
Featured Matchups:
- Chase Elliott vs. Ryan Blaney: Both drivers are superspeedway specialists, but Elliott has been more consistent in 2025. Blaney's feast-or-famine nature makes this a close call.
- Bubba Wallace vs. Ross Chastain: Wallace has the edge in consistency, with six top 10s in the last 11 drafting races. Chastain's recent results at Talladega are less impressive.
- Chase Briscoe vs. Joey Logano: Logano's speed might keep him at the front, but Briscoe's solid Talladega record makes him the safer pick.
- Kyle Larson vs. Christopher Bell: Larson's recent success at Talladega and Bell's bad luck at the track give Larson the advantage.
My Lineup:
- Austin Cindric
- Ryan Blaney
- Chase Elliott
- Brad Keselowski
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Garage: Erik Jones.
36 for 36: With limited options, the choice is clear. Riley Herbst, a superspeedway standout, gets the nod over Austin Dillon and Ryan Blaney, who could either win or finish last.
And this is the part most fans debate: Is Team Penske's aggressive approach a blessing or a curse at Talladega? Will their strategy pay off, or will it backfire? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
