TALLADEGA, Ala. – A photographic look of the NASCAR racing action on Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway. All photos are provided courtesy of NASCAR and Getty Images.
A detailed view of shoes worn by Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 Hooters Chevrolet, commemorating his father Bill Elliott’s 212.809 qualifying lap time, during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Erik Jones, driver of the #20 Reser’s American Classic Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
Blake Koch, driver of the #11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, and Kasey Kahne, driver of the #88 Armour Chevrolet, lead the field past the green flag to start the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Kasey Kahne, driver of the #88 Armour Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
Blake Koch, driver of the #11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award after qualifying for the pole position for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Ryan Reed, driver of the #16 Lilly Diabetes Ford, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Daniel Suarez, driver of the #18 Peak Antifreeze & Coolant Toyota, and Brennan Poole, driver of the #48 DC Solar Chevrolet, have an on track incident during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Ryan Blaney, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, talks to Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, talks to crew chief Greg Ives on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 Hellmann’s Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh from Florida Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh from Florida Ford, poses in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh from Florida Ford, and his son, Alex, pose with the winner’s decal in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #17 Fifth Third Bank Ford, poses with the Coors Light Pole Award decal after qualifying for the pole position for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 6, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Mike Haag has covered motorsports in San Antonio and South Texas for more than 39 years. In addition to covering motorsports for the San Antonio Express-News for nearly 28 years, Mike also has co-hosted TrackSmack with Dawn Murphy for 19 race seasons. In addition to being a writer, Mike taught high school English and Journalism for 30 years before retiring in May, 2020.
By Mike Haag