David Gilliland and David Ragan’s final-lap heave at Talladega Superspeedway last season defined their demeanor and willingness to help further their team’s recognition and competitiveness.
Now, after that conduct and performance, many folks are hopping onto the bandwagon and believing Front Row Motorsports could go back-to-back by winning at ‘Dega this weekend.
“It’s going to be tough,” Gilliland admitted when asked about duplicating last season’s performance at Talladega. “However, we’re really excited to return and feel like we have a great shot at winning and having a good day, so it’ll be interesting to watch.”
“Talladega is the great equalizer,” Ragan said to Popular Speed’s Matt Weaver. “Handling doesn’t matter so if you can get the car to your particular comfort level and liking, you will have a shot. I don’t expect to win but I do expect to contend. And if I make the right decisions as a driver and the pit crew does what they are capable of, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have the same opportunity as one of the top five teams.”
Though, this season, a victory would be much more then memorable, it would be extraordinary and unforgettable due to NASCAR’s new implemented Chase format that focuses on winning. Therefore, a victory for either Gilliland or Ragan would clinch them their first Chase berth.
“It’d mean the world to Front Row Motorsports,” Gilliland noted saying that a win at ‘Dega basically guarantees a Chase berth. “It’s our goal, but anything can happen, it’s still Talladega, but we’ll see what will happen come Sunday.”
“I think we’re going to be in position to do something and steal a win,” Ragan expressed. “I feel like there will be one team over the course of the year that does something (special) and it gets them into the Chase.”
Their pursuit towards a second triumph at Talladega hasn’t begun the prettiest, though, after Ragan and Gilliland qualified 39th and 40th respectively, following the group-qualifying session on Saturday. However, sometimes starting in the rear is beneficial to avoid trouble.
The Aarons 499 in Talladega, Alabama begins at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX which will feature outstanding speeds and close side-by-side competing. @MarshallGabell on Twitter will have updates of the event for those unable to access a television.
