NASCAR: Five predictions for the Alabama 500 at Talladega

TALLADEGA, AL - MAY 07: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Fifth Third Bank Ford, leads the field past the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 7, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 08: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Fourth prediction: A speeding penalty on pit road will lose the race for a contender

Imagine driving down the road in a 55 mile per hour zone and suddenly up ahead is the 30 mile per hour zone with a cop sitting right behind the sign. This is what drivers will experience this weekend at Talladega, however at much higher speeds. Drivers will be running two or three-wide at over 200 miles per hour and need to get down to 55 without losing too much time.

Instead of a cop sitting behind the limit change sign, it will be radar following each driver’s every move down pit road. Getting caught speeding will result in a pass-through penalty and more than likely put a driver a lap down…or more. At Talladega, drafting is crucial to stay on the lead lap. If a driver loses the draft, it isn’t long before the pack puts that driver a lap down.

Expect to see at least one of the playoff drivers get busted by the speed police on Sunday. If the mistake happens late, it could cost them the win, and even worse, crucial playoff points needed to help them advance to the Round of 8.

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