Two-Round Qualifying Format Returns to Talladega Superspeedway for Both NASCAR Events Saturday

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The “Two-Round” qualifying format that took place at Talladega Superspeedway’s May NASCAR weekend will be in effect when both the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) returns to the biggest and baddest track on the planet this Saturday, Oct. 24.

Qualifying for both the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola and Foodland/Food Giant qualifying for the CampingWorld.com 500 will feature two rounds that will feature every driver taking one timed lap around the 2.66-mile tri-oval during the first round. The drivers with the 12 fastest lap speeds will advance to the second round. The top-12 starting positions for both races will be determined by the fastest lap speed in the second round, while positions 13 and beyond will be established off the first-round speeds.

NASCAR officials will send cars onto the track at predetermined intervals, resulting in a constant flow of drivers making qualifying runs. The action on the track will never stop, except for the 10-minute break between rounds.  Jeff Gordon, in his final year of NASCAR Sprint Cup competition, captured his fourth Talladega pole award for the GEICO 500 in May during the two-round qualifying format. It will be the first time the NCWTS will use the format at Talladega.

Qualifying for the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. CDT with Foodland/Food Giant qualifying for the CampingWorld.com 500 set for 3:15 p.m. CDT. Sandwiched in between will be the exciting start of the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola race at noon CDT.

The action-packed day concludes Saturday evening at the intersection of Eastaboga and Talladega Boulevards for Talladega’s traditional infield concert, headlined by award-winning Mercury Nashville recording artist Easton Corbin.  One of NASCAR’s favorites, Tim Dugger, will kick off the night and rock the rowdy infield crowd. The best part about the concert is that admission is free with the purchase of a Sunday race ticket for the Camping World.com 500 (starting at 1:30 p.m. CDT). The race is the final event in the Contender Round in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in which the field of title contenders will be trimmed from 12 to eight at the checkered flag.

Corbin’s performance will mark the second straight evening of fun activities in the infield. On Friday, after a day of practice sessions for both the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola and the Camping World.com 500, the track will host its fourth “Big One on The Blvd” infield extravaganza featuring NASCAR’s top drivers and loads of fan fun.

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