Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney Among Favorites in NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying at Talladega

The NASCAR Cup Series is set to hold qualifying for the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Previous winners Kyle Busch and Ryan Blaney are among the top contenders heading into the weekend.

Qualifying will feature a two-round format, with the fastest 10 drivers from the first round advancing to a second round shootout for the pole position. The qualifying order was determined by NASCAR's qualifying metric.

Busch, who won at Talladega last year driving for Richard Childress Racing, is still seeking his first win of the 2024 season. Blaney, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, has three previous victories at the 2.66-mile superspeedway and expressed confidence in Ford's performance on the track.

Brad Keselowski, a six-time winner at Talladega, is looking to snap a 107-race winless streak and earn his first victory as an owner-driver for the Roush Fenway Keselowski RFK Racing team. Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing is also considered a prime contender by experts.

Other drivers to watch include William Byron, who has been consistent at Talladega, Chase Elliott, a two-time winner at the track, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., known for his aggressive superspeedway driving style.

Why this matters: The Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway is one of the most anticipated races on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, known for its high speeds, close racing, and potential for multi-car crashes. A win at Talladega can provide a significant boost to a driver's championship hopes and solidify their status as a top performer on superspeedways.

The Geico 500 is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on Fox. Qualifying is set for Saturday at 10:30 a.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. With a stacked field of contenders and the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing, the battle for the pole position and the race win is expected to be fierce and exciting for fans.

Key Takeaways

• NASCAR Cup Series qualifying for Geico 500 at Talladega on April 20, 2024.
• Top contenders include Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, and Bubba Wallace.
• Qualifying format features two rounds, with top 10 advancing to final round.
• Geico 500 race scheduled for April 21, 2024, at 3 p.m. ET on Fox.
• Talladega known for high speeds, close racing, and potential for multi-car crashes.