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NASCAR: Four Predictions for The Hellmann’s 500 at Talladega

By Michael Guadalupe

May 1, 2016; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Trevor Bayne (6) and Kyle Larson (42) race ahead of the pack during the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Trevor Bayne (6) and Kyle Larson (42) race ahead of the pack during the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 1, 2016; Talladega, AL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Trevor Bayne (6) and Kyle Larson (42) race ahead of the pack during the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Here are four predictions for the Hellmann’s 500. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

The most unpredictable race of the Chase is this weekend as drivers get ready to try to win at Talladega. What can we expect at the Hellmann’s 500? Here are four predictions for the race on Sunday.

If there’s one thing fans should know about the Chase race at Talladega, it’s that only two Chase drivers will be able to compete on Sunday without having to worry about the pressure that comes from Super Speedway races.

Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick have both won races in the Round of 12 and will be moving on, but for the other drivers in the Chase they still have to win at Talladega this Sunday or have enough points to stay above the Chase cutoff line if they hope to make it into the Round of 8.

Talladega usually turns out to be a crazy race, with big wrecks occurring at any time and anywhere on the track. Regardless of where a driver starts a race they can still be in danger of getting caught up in the Big One.

Which drivers will survive on Sunday? Will we see some of NASCAR’s top drivers this season eliminated from the Chase after Talladega?

One of the biggest differences between Super Speedways and the 1.5 mile tracks that mostly make up the Chase is how having the fastest car and fast pit stops don’t matter as much. Underdogs, and non-chase drivers will have their best chance to win a race in the Chase and deny a win for one of the drivers trying to make it into the Round of 8.

But will non-chase drivers play a big role in this race on Sunday? Can a driver outside of the Chase win this race?

For a driver to end up in Victory Lane at Talladega they need to survive the wrecks and be in the right spot when the last caution comes out.

Before the final race of the Round of 12 starts, here are four predictions for the Hellmann’s 500.

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