The Freds 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Talladega Super Speedway is set to go off on Saturday, October 22nd at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX. The race is the last contest of the first round of the first ever Camping World Truck Series Chase.
Kyle Busch Motorsports’ William Byron his the only speedster to have recorded a victory in the first two races. Therefore, he is awarded an automatic birth into the second round of the Chase Round of 6. The Round of 6 will kick-off next weekend at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia.
Coming into the Freds 250 on Saturday, William Byron sits first in the Chase points and is the only driver who has clinched a spot in the Round of 8. The youngster is trailed by his teammate Christopher Bell who is only 25 points above Daniel Hemric on the cut-off line.
Next is veteran driver Matt Crafton, he is followed by Ben Kennedy and two-time winner Timothy Peters. Below them are, Johnny Sauter in sixth place, Daniel Hemric in seventh, and finally, John Hunter Nemechek.
Chase standing’s leader, William Byron has never made a start at Talladega Super Speedway. In fact, the Freds 250 is the first time he has ever raced competitively here. He was asked about his strategy for the Freds 250 this weekend.
“I’m just going to try to go as hard as I can. I want to learn more restrictor-plate racing styles and techniques that I wasn’t really able to learn in the beginning of the year since it was my first race. I think we’ll just go with that mindset and hopefully try and get a win and do a good job.”said Byron.
William Byron’s teammate Christopher Bell, finished 13th in his only start at Talladega last year. He also drives for Kyle Busch Motorsports and has to be considered a favorite when the green flag is waved for the Fred’d 250.
Matt Crafton and his #88 Menards Toyota was eighth fastest in the second practice round on Friday. In 10 events at Talladega Super Speedway, Crafton has reeled in one top five, three top 10’s, a 16.2 average finish. The experienced truck racer’s best finish was fourth back in 2010.
Ben Kennedy and his Maury Gallagher owned Jacobs Chevrolet was second fastest in the final practice yesterday. That being said, Kennedy has made two starts at Talladega and has finished finishing 28th (2014) and 25th (2015). He has been fast on the larger tracks this year, and I do expect him to run towards the front in the race’s final few laps.
Red Horse Racing’s Timothy Peters has cruised into the Winner’s Circle at Talladega the past two years. In seven races here, he boasts two wins, three top five’s, four top 10’s and an 11.0 average finish. Peters has to be considered the favorite when the green flag is waved for the Fred’s 250.
Ben Kennedy’s running-mate Johnny Sauter, struggled his way through the first two practice rounds on Friday. I have to admit that it surprised me a bit considering he to has been fast on the larger tracks. In Sauter’s seven starts at Talladega, he has claimed one win in 2013, three top five’s, four top 10’s and a 15.7 average finish.
“I want to win more, whether it’s the Chase or not. A lot of things are out of your control at Talladega so you have to be smart. Despite being in the last transfer spot going in, I feel really good about this. Really comfortable.” said Sauter.
Brad Keselowski Racing’s Daniel Hemric, is seventh in points. Currently, he is 15 points behind Johnny Sauter in sixth. Hemric finished 28th at Talladega in his lone start there last year.
It’s all or nothing for the feisty young driver in the Freds 250 on Saturday. Fortunately Hemric is fast, posting top 10 speeds in both the practice rounds before the race. He commented on the challenges of Talladega Super Speedway.
“All we can do here is control what we can control. Go into it approaching every situation that way, whether it’s practice, qualifying or the race. If we execute on all ends, I see no reason why we shouldn’t have a shot at it. At the end of the day … I think I would rather be on the end we’re on. Obviously if you’ve won, that’s even better. But the situation where we can go down swinging and not playing defense all day. I think, is going to be a good thing for (Nemechek) and I, both.” Hemric said.
John Hunter Nemecek is in the final spot in the first round of the 2016 Camping World Truck Series Chase. Nemechek was fast in the second round of practice and finished in the 11th spot in his only race at Talladega Super Speedway.
