By Zach Akers – Sports Writer
Talladega lived up to all expectations this weekend, as all three races featured plenty of carnage, a first-time winner and a chance for Chase Briscoe* to punch his ticket to Phoenix.
We start off Friday evening in the Craftsman Truck Series, where non-playoff driver Gio Ruggiero found his way to victory lane, leaving only Corey Heim* locked in heading to Martinsville in the last race before the Championship 4. Five of the remaining seven drivers still have a chance to point their way in. However, Daniel Hemric* and Grant Enfinger* find themselves in must-win scenarios at the Virginia short track.
Next up is the Xfinity Series, where Austin Hill won, marking his 10th victory on a drafting track — placing him first all-time in the Xfinity Series ahead of the likes of Dale Earnhardt, Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. We leave Talladega with Connor Zilisch* and Justin Allgaier* locked in on points to Phoenix. Jesse Love* has a 40-point advantage over the cutline, but with a winner from outside the cutline, things could get interesting at Martinsville.
Finally, we round out the weekend with the Cup Series, where Chase Briscoe* punched his ticket to Phoenix and will now compete for a championship following a last-lap push from teammate Ty Gibbs. Briscoe’s luck was better than that of most playoff drivers, as many found themselves in incidents or ran out of fuel late in the race Sunday evening. Briscoe* and teammate Denny Hamlin* are locked in, with Kyle Larson* and Christopher Bell* holding comfortable cushions going into Martinsville.
William Byron*, Joey Logano*, Ryan Blaney* and Chase Elliott* find themselves in must-win situations to get to Phoenix, barring a meltdown from Bell* or Larson*. Things are sure to be interesting when these drivers take to the track Sunday with a shot at a Cup Series championship on the line.
Will we see a Joe Gibbs-heavy Championship 4? Can Hendrick even the playing field? Can the two Penske Fords rebound at Martinsville to make it to Phoenix? Tune in Sunday and find out! Until next time!
Asterisks denote drivers still involved in the respective series playoff picture.
This Day in NASCAR History: Oct. 20, 1974 — Richard Petty won the American 500 at North Carolina Motor Speedway (now known as Rockingham Speedway)
