NASCAR Cup Series: Pearce Dietrich talks Talladega ahead of 2018 GEICO 500

Questions 5 and 6

Beyond the Flag: A few months ago you had talked about Paul Menard possibly being a sleeper pick at Daytona, and he did not disappoint with a sixth place finish. He is now the only driver that has five top 12 finishes in restrictor plate races since the start of last season. Could this be the weekend we see him break through for his first win in seven years?

Pearce: He’s due for a win, but he’s also due for a wreck at a plate track. Menard is a patient driver and that bodes well at plate tracks. He’s in a Ford and they have clearly been the best plate cars over the last year. What’s really impressive is that most of Menard’s streak came in a Chevy. I doubt he is a sleeper anymore, but I like Almirola to win this week. As long as Austin Dillon isn’t right behind him on the last lap.

Beyond the Flag: Trevor Bayne’s results aren’t exactly the greatest at restrictor plate tracks, although he did win the 2011 Daytona 500 and he did finish in third place last fall at Talladega even after being involved in one of the late wrecks. He also ran toward the front in this year’s Daytona 500 for a decent chunk of the race. Could he possibly have some extra motivation to do well this weekend knowing that Matt Kenseth is coming to Roush Fenway Racing to share his ride starting in a few weeks?

Pearce: In five years, Bayne’s Daytona 500 win will be categorized alongside Derrike Cope’s Daytona 500 win. The Kenseth situation wasn’t news to Bayne. He’s known his seat was getting warm for some time. The extra motivation was already there, and he still wasn’t getting the results. If he earns a top 10 this weekend, it won’t be because he was motivated. It will be because he missed the wrecks.