This track only needs one name to be recognized.  It's a track that towers over every other facility on the NASCAR schedule.  It has bankings as high as office buildings, straightaways allowing four-wide racing at nearly 200 mph, and a unique ending where the start/finish line is at the end of pit road.

Many fans love it, many drivers fear it, everyone must endure it.  Simply put...THIS IS TALLADEGA.

The biggest wild card in the Chase has finally arrived, and at a time where everything is tight and on edge.  Add in the fact that many fans, crews and drivers alike are hurting as the events of Sunday's IndyCar event are still on the minds of everyone.  NASCAR is honoring the memory of Dan Wheldon at Talladega with special decals and memorials.

But, it's still a track where being at the right place at the right moment is extremely important.  The concept of trust among everyone at this place has become even more important, due to the new drafting style.

The two-car tandem concept was first seen in this race last year, and has since become the normal style in the three previous restrictor plate races this season.  Even with new rules for this weekend, a larger plate and new rules for the pressure release valve in the cooling, teams are still going to employ the practice.

A can of Pam or a tube of grease becomes as important as a full tank of fuel.  Trusting the driver doing the pushing is as important as knowing where and when to make a move to the front.

So how does one pick a winner, because any driver can win from any position in the field.  It seems cruel that only one driver gets to go to victory lane because in essence, two drivers win the race.  However, one driver will be celebrating at the end of 188 laps, but who is the big question.

It's been a tough week to decide, but the writers have made their choices.  Here's their predictions for Sunday's Good Sam Club 500:

 

Misan Ayuka:  Jamie McMurray

McMurray has had a nightmare of a season.  He's 27th in points, has just two top-fives and four top-10's after winning three races last year, including the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400.  But Talladega is a track that McMurray can salvage something.

McMurray won there in 2008 and a win now would start something that they could carry over to 2012.

 

James Broomhead:  Matt Kenseth

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m not looking forward to prospect of Talladega a little less after the events of last week brought all of the risks or racing into terrifyingly sharp focus. However, the show must go on.

Talladega is the make or break of the Chase. Even more than normal the result is out of a single driver’s hands, with luck and drafting the key to success, and just luck the key to avoiding the accident everyone will be gearing their races around avoiding. Matt finished second at Daytona in July, pushing David Ragan to the win, and I’m hoping for a similar Roush partnership to take Matt to a second consecutive win.

 

Kelly Crandall:  Kevin Harvick

Wanted to go Bowyer but he's the RCR lame duck and with Harvick in the Chase they will most likely be pushing him.

 

Billy Fellin:  Kevin Harvick

Id like to say my pick was not made by putting a bunch of names in a hat and throwing them in the air and catching it.  It could have been tho.

I'm going with Harvick. This is the type of race hell stay in the back out of trouble and then come out of nowhere and close it out.

 

Michael Hirshbein:  Jamie McMurray

No reason given.

 

Christopher Leone:  Jamie McMurray

Since whoever I pick will inevitably wreck, screw it.

 

Kara Martin:  Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Got to go with the master.

 

Ryan O'Hara:  Kevin Harvick

He is the man here and so am I. Harvick will steal it at the end.

 

Dustin Parks:  Jeff Gordon

This track is all about waiting for that right moment to pounce.  Sure, Harvick did that in 2010, and Johnson did it in April, but let's not forget about the active driver with the most wins at Talladega...Big Daddy.  Six wins, 14 top-fives, 18 top-10's...that's hard to deny.  We saw at the Coke Zero 400 that Gordon and teammate Mark Martin work well together, and that appears to be the plan once again this race.

Gordon's last win came in this race in 2007.  He led only one lap, but it was the one that mattered.  Wouldn't surprise me if lightning struck twice.

 

Sal Sigala Jr:  Dale Earnhardt Jr.

No reason given.

 

Rob Tiongson:  Kevin Harvick

If there's ever a time for ole Happy to smile, it's NOW at Talladega. He seems to love Talladega and with a little patience and keeping his nose clean, there's no telling he'll capture the Good Sam Club 500!

 

Standings following Charlotte:

Rob Tiongson (2203) Kyle Busch finished second (3)

Billy Fellin (2199) Kasey Kahne finished fourth (3)

Christopher Leone (2197) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 19th (4)

Dustin Parks (2195) Kasey Kahne finished fourth (1)

Misan Ayuka (2194) Kyle Busch finished second (4)

Sal Sigala Jr. (2194) Brad Keselowski finished 16th (5)

Ryan O'Hara (2193) Brad Keselowski finished 16th (2)

Michael Hirshbein (2190) Kurt Busch finished 13th (6)

James Broomhead (2184) Kasey Kahne finished fourth (2)

Kelly Crandall (2177) Matt Kenseth WON (4)

Kara Martin (2176) Kyle Busch finished second (1)

 

Final Thoughts:  The fear factor goes up when things are out of one's control.  Certainly when it comes to this 2.66-mile track, everything is out of the driver's control.  Thins need to work absolutely perfect to have a strong race.

It's the biggest factor in deciding the 2011 champion.  It's not about victory, it's about survival.

Coverage is on ESPN beginning at 1 p.m. ET, with the race going green an hour later.

 

Summary of Picks:

Kevin Harvick-4

Jamie McMurray-3

Dale Earnhardt Jr-2

Jeff Gordon-1

Matt Kenseth-1