Talladega Heart-Stopping Finishes: At Talladega Superspeedway, the thrill of victory often hangs in the balance, with the last moments of the race delivering heart-stopping drama. In this year’s race, the tension escalated as Kevin Harvick emerged as a formidable contender for the win. However, in an exhilarating finish, Ryan Blaney surged ahead of Harvick by a mere 0.012 seconds at the finish line, securing a dramatic victory that propelled him into NASCAR’s playoffs’ round of eight. This win also marked a significant moment as it dashed Harvick’s aspirations of a triumphant swansong in his final season back in October.
Sharing insights during a conversation, Blaney reflected on his previous triumphs at the track. He remarked that the finishes in those races were even tighter than his recent victory, highlighting the razor-thin margins that often separate first and second place at Talladega.
Notably, despite Kevin Harvick’s car failing post-race inspection by a slim margin after trailing Ryan Blaney, this season’s finish added another legendary chapter to Talladega’s history. The track is renowned for its breathtaking finishes, elevating the challenge of securing a victory there.
However, Blaney diverges slightly from this perception. He reminisced about his razor-close victories at Talladega in 2020 and 2019, where he narrowly surpassed Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Ryan Newman by a minuscule margin of .007 seconds in both races.
Contrasting Harvick’s 0.012-second gap, Blaney humorously remarked on how racing against Harvick for the win felt easier compared to his previous two wins. He stated, “The other two we won there was way closer than that. So, this one was easy. But they’re always close, and you never know if you’re gonna be on the good side of them or the bad side of them, and fortunately for us, we were on the good side of it.”
Blaney’s winning maneuver showcased his skill, executing a masterful crossover from the outer to the inner lane, outmaneuvering Harvick with just two laps remaining. The high-speed duel between Blaney from Team Penske and Harvick representing Stewart-Haas Racing unfolded with intense competitiveness, triggering chaos behind them as Riley Herbst, following Harvick, spun out after contact with Corey LaJoie.
Exploring Talladega’s history of thrilling finishes, some races stand out for their breathtakingly slim margins:
- The 2011 Aaron’s 499 witnessed Jimmie Johnson clinch victory from Clint Bowyer by a mere .002 seconds, ranking among the closest finishes in Sprint Cup history since electronic timing’s advent in 1993.
- The 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series saw Dale Earnhardt Jr narrowly edge out Ernie Irvan by .005 seconds, providing another hair-raising finish.
- Ryan Blaney secured nail-biting victories in 2019 and 2020, claiming the third and fourth spots on this list of closest finishes.
- The 2010 race showcased Kevin Harvick ending a 115-race drought by beating Jamie McMurray to the finish line by a mere 0.011 seconds.
These unforgettable moments left fans breathless. Do you remember witnessing any other thrilling finishes live?
ALSO READ: Byron Journey at Talladega: A Tale of Strategy, Speed, and Surprises
Our Reader’s Queries
Who finishes best at Talladega?
Talladega Superspeedway has seen some impressive NASCAR drivers over the years. Kaz Grala tops the list with an average finish of 6.02, followed closely by John Hunter Nemechek with 8.03. Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin also make the cut with impressive averages of 8.34 and 10.9 respectively. These drivers have proven their mettle on the track and continue to be a force to be reckoned with.
How did the drivers finish at Talladega?
In a nail-biting finish at Talladega Superspeedway, Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Team Penske Ford edged out Kevin Harvick’s No. 4 Ford by a mere foot to clinch the win. The final 10-lap push to the checkered flag had fans on the edge of their seats as Blaney’s car crossed the finish line first. It was a thrilling victory for Blaney and his team.
What’s the fastest a NASCAR has ever gone?
Bill Elliott’s record-breaking 212-mph qualifying run at the Winston 500 in Talladega back in 1987 remains an iconic moment in NASCAR history. In a sport where speed is king, being fast is everything. Drivers live and breathe for the thrill of pushing their cars to the limit, while fans can’t get enough of the high-octane action. Elliott’s feat is a testament to the importance of speed in NASCAR, and a reminder of the incredible feats that can be achieved when drivers and machines are pushed to their absolute limits.
What happened to Gibbs at Talladega?
On Sunday, Ty Gibbs left his pit stall with his Toyota’s gas can still hanging and the fuel can dislodged in the middle of pit road. The fuel can sparked upon hitting the pavement and quickly caught fire.
