Talladega: time for the show!

The races of Nascar Sprint Cup Series at Talladega have always been notable and victory at this oval is worth more than anywhere else except Daytona. Last year, the race at the start of the season was marked by the accident, on the very last lap, of Carl Edwards, whose car flew away after contact with Brad Keselowski, winner in the end (see video). The two men, who were driving bumper to bumper, had managed to move up to the first two places on the last lap before engaging in battle – one of the many clashes involving Edwards and Keselowski, who have already done it again this year (see video).

During the second Talladega race in 2009, in early November, the spectacle was once again there. Ryan Newman emerged unscathed from a spectacular collision (see video) while a huge pileup involving Mark Martin and Kurt Busch (see video) had disrupted the end of the race. Jamie McMurray won on the Alabama super oval, three months before repeating such a performance by winning the Daytona 500.

This season, all the top names in the Sprint Cup Series are there. Jimmie Johnson, winner of three of the first eight races of the year, will be one of the favorites. But he will have to be particularly wary of Denny Hamlin, in good spirits in recent weeks (two victories), just like Jeff Gordon, lacking success but often well placed. Brothers Kyle and Kurt Busch, 3rd and 4th in the last race in Texas, are also to be placed in the list of candidates for victory. Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Juan Pablo Montoya, Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Junior will also be keen to showcase themselves this weekend. First clue this Saturday, from 18:30 p.m., for qualifying.