TALLADEGA, AL – The anticipated more-rapid qualifying format for both the GEICO 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) and fred’s 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) races at Talladega Superspeedway will be unveiled this weekend and should create an extra element of fan excitement at the 2.66-mile venue. It marks the first time the new five-minute, three-round system will be used in 2014.
Both national series’ will take on the more fast-paced look that should resemble race conditions and promises to bring out the best in the competitors, and will be crucial in determining the starting lineup which will dictate strategies in the early stages of both events. The GEICO 500 will be the pivotal final race of the Contender Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in which the field of eligible drivers for the title will be reduced from 12 to eight at the checkered flag. The fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola always plays a key role in the title chase of the NCWTS as there will only be four races left when the series departs Talladega.
The new format will be seen for the first time on Friday at 4:45 pm (CT) during the Keystone Light qualifying for the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola. The fred’s event gets the green flag at 12:00 pm (CT) Saturday (LIVE on FOX and MRN/Sirius XM), and later in the day at 3:40 pm (CT), the Sprint Cup drivers take to the track for Food Land/Food Giant Pole Qualifying (LIVE on ESPNEWS) for the GEICO 500.
Both qualifying sessions for the GEICO 500 and fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola will consist of the following:
• Qualifying will consist of three rounds with the first round divided into two groups amongst the competitors. The first qualifying round is five minutes in length for each group.
• Competitors will be assigned to a first qualifying round group based on a random draw.
• The 24 eligible competitors that post the fastest single lap speed from either of the first qualifying round groups will advance to the second round. The remaining competitors will be sorted based on their speed posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.
• There will be a 10-minute break after the completion of the first qualifying round and the 24 remaining competitors that advance to the second round will have their times reset.
• The second qualifying round is five minutes in length and the 12 eligible competitors that post the fastest single lap speed will advance to the third and final round.
• The fastest remaining competitors will earn positions 13-24 based on their fastest single lap speed posted in qualifying in descending order.
• Following a five minute break, the 12 eligible competitors that advance to the final round will have their posted speeds’ reset.
• The final qualifying round is five minutes in length and the fastest single lap speed will determine positions 1-12 in descending order.
In addition to Friday’s qualifying (LIVE on FOX Sports 1) for the fred’s 250 Powered By Coca-Cola, the Friday slate includes two rounds of practice for the NSCS drivers and one practice session for the NCWTS competitors, some of whom will participate in a special autograph session from 2:30-3:30 p.m..
Erik Jones, an 18-year-old who became the youngest winner in the history of the NCWTS in 2013, and is also the most recent winner in the series, along with four-time Series Champ Ron Hornaday, will be among the 14 drivers scheduled to appear for the autograph session Friday. The session takes place behind the OV Hill South Grandstand in sections D & E. Others scheduled to appear include: Timothy Peters, German Quiroga, Ben Kennedy, Tayler Malsam, Brennan Newberry, Joey Coulter, Spencer Gallagher, Kevin Swindell, Bryan Silas, Mason Mingus, J.J. Yeley and Jennifer Jo Cobb.
To guarantee a spot in line for the NCWTS autograph session each fan will need a wristband, which can be picked up for free from the Guest Services Office located at OV Hill South Grandstand, Section L. Those who don’t have wristbands will be allowed in the line and will be able to get autographs only if time permits. Driver participation is subject to change and can be without notice. Neither NASCAR, Inc., nor any of its affiliates are sponsors of this promotion.
Johnny Sauter is the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola defending champion, but he will have strong competition to make it two-in-a-row. He will have to battle the likes of teammate Matt Crafton, who is going after his second straight series title, along with Ryan Blaney, Alabama native Darrell Wallace, Jr., and many more.
In Sunday’s GEICO 500, only Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick have secured automatic births in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup’s Eliminator Round of eight while Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. may have to win the GEICO 500 in order to advance.
Talladega Superspeedway Broadcast Schedule for Oct. 17-19 (Times CT)
Day Official Event TV Network Radio Broadcast Start Live or Tape
Fri, Oct. 17 NSCS Practice FOX Sports 1 1:30 p.m. LIVE
Fri, Oct. 17 NSCS Final Practice FOX Sports 1 3:30 p.m. LIVE
Fri, Oct. 17 NCWTS Qualifying FOX Sports 1 4:30 p.m. LIVE
Sat, Oct. 18 NCWTS Setup FOX 11:30 a.m. LIVE
Sat, Oct. 18 NCWTS fred’s 250 FOX MRN/SiriusXM 12 Noon LIVE
Sat, Oct. 18 NSCS Qualifying ESPNEWS MRN/SiriusXM 3:30 p.m. LIVE
Sun, Oct. 19 NASCAR RaceDay FOX Sports 1 11:00 a.m. LIVE
Sun, Oct. 19 NSCS Countdown ESPN 12 Noon LIVE
Sun, Oct. 19 NSCS GEICO 500 ESPN MRN/SiriusXM 1:00 p.m. LIVE
Sun, Oct. 19 NASCAR Victory Lane FOX Sports 1 11:30 p.m. Same Day Delay
About Talladega Superspeedway
NASCAR speeds back into Talladega Superspeedway October 17-19 for the GEICO 500 Sprint Cup Series race and fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola Camping World Truck Series event. NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), with the circuit’s steepest banking (33 degrees) and longest distance (2.66 miles), is also the most fun and fan-friendly, offering up hundreds of acres of free camping, amazing kids ticket prices and special offers for military members and college students. Talladega Superspeedway is NASCAR’s “Party Capital” thanks to the track’s infamous infield and world renowned Talladega Blvd. The historic venue has always worked hard to enhance the fan experience in every way and now features the most comfortable seats in motorsports, large video viewing boards (a new initiative planned for future implementation at all ISC tracks) lining the frontstretch and endless activities for fans throughout its event weekends. Log on to www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 877-Go2-DEGA for more information. This is more than a race, this is Talladega!
