NASCAR Monday Mash-Up: Talladega delivers the biggest 'big one' ever
A wild weekend at Talladega shook up the NASCAR Playoffs and delivered the largest wreck ever in Cup Series history. When you have 28 cars involved in a single incident, that is taking the “big one” to another level.
Before we head to the Round of 12 elimination race at the Roval, let’s get into what happened this weekend in Alabama. Superspeedway racing is always risky and we saw that in all three races on the track.
NASCAR almost always delivers at Talladega. But was Sunday a bit too much? Let’s get into everything that happened and judge for ourselves.
Nick Sanchez felt he ‘got screwed’ by NASCAR at Talladega
During the Truck Series race, Nick Sanchez had multiple issues. The Rev Racing driver found himself involved in not just one but two wrecks.
Not only that, Sanchez had to go back down pit road after stopping under caution to have his spoiler checked. The field took the green as Sanchez was instructed back on pit road. He thought NASCAR officials “screwed” him over.
Grant Enfinger wins home race, advances to Phoenix
When it was said and done, Grant Enfinger was out in the front and claimed the win. Enfinger is going back to the Championship 4 for the second year in a row.
The Alabama-born driver won yet again at his home track. This is massive for Enfinger and CR7 Motorsports and he has a chance to win his first Truck Series championship.
Keanu Reeves made his racing debut at Indy
Away from NASCAR action at Talladega, Keanu Reeves, yes THAT Keanu Reeves made his pro racing debut at Indianapolis. As part of the Toyota GR Cup race, supporting IMSA fo the 8 Hours of Indy, Reeves held his own.
Despite spinning out in the grass, Reeves finish P25 on Saturday. He bested Toyota Development driver Jade Avedisian. I bet Reeves couldn’t drive a Sprint Car like her though.
Michael McDowell wins another pole award
For the sixth time this season and fifth time on a superspeedway, Michael McDowell won the pole award at Talladega. It was a huge effort to claim the pole once again.
Front Row Motorsports has figured this out. With the Team Penske alliance, McDowell and Todd Gilliland have stepped it up this year.
Andres Perez makes history in ARCA Menards Series
The ARCA Menards Series season came to an end at Toldeo this weekend. There was history made at the start of the race, too.
Andres Perez clinched the ARCA championship. He did so without a single win this season as part-time drivers took all the checkered flags. Still, he will always be a champion.
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Shane van Gisbergen gets taste of first big wreck
For Shane van Gisbergen, his Saturday did not end how he pictured it. SVG got a taste of his first big NASCAR wreck at Talladega.
The Kiwi got involved in a similar incident in the ARCA race at Daytona. But that was in the first few laps, not the pressure of coming to the final stage in an Xfinity Series race with the playoffs on the line.
Sammy Smith wins, Sam Mayer disqualified
Speaking of playoffs, Sammy Smith and Sam Mayer changed everything. Smith went from 12th to in the Round of 8 with his win.
As for Mayer, he was DQd after the race. It wiped his points away for the effort and gave those drivers below the cutline about a 10-point bonus. JR Motorsports really shook things up on Saturday.
NASCAR sets record for largest wreck at Talladega
With four laps to go in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega, the big one happened. Not just the big one, the biggest one.
About two dozen cars were stuck on track with flat tires and other issues. It took an extended time period for it to all get cleaned up and even triggered controversy over NASCAR’s DVP rules.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. spoils NASCAR Playoffs at Talladega
When the checkered flag waved, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., hole in his door and all, was out front. He edged out Brad Keselowski to play spoiler in the NASCAR Playoff race at Talladega.
During his celebration, Stenhouse went over the fence, onto the flag stand, and into the crowd. He then took the same path to get back onto the track. It was awesome.