The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series descends on Talladega Superspeedway for the ninth race of the 2010 season, the Aaron's 499. This race at 'Dega promises to be one of the wildest races of this season. Brian Brown took a look at past performances and season trends and spoke with NASCAR contacts to predict how the field should finish on Sunday.

When
Sunday, April 25, 2010
1:19 p.m. ET

Weather
Isolated T-storms with a high around 86; wind out of the SW at 11 mph. There is a 30 percent chance of precipitation.

The Track
Talladega Superspeedway is a 2.66 tri-oval. It has steep 33 degree banking in the turns and 18 degree banking on the straightaways. The banking allows the cars to run at intense speeds. As a result of these speeds NASCAR has made 'Dega a restrictor plate track. This means all cars entered in the race must use the restrictor plates on their engines to limit air-intake and thus reduce horsepower.

Key to Race: Avoid the big wreck
As is the case with all restrictor plate races the field will become bunched up in two-wide groups of 20 or 30 cars. These freight train-like packs cruise around the track just inches away from each other. It takes just one car to have a flat tire or lose control to cause a massive accident. If a driver can get lucky and stay away from the inevitable big crash they have a great chance to finish inside the top 20. In fantasy leagues a race like this is very difficult to predict. You are almost better off to pick some sleepers like McMurray, Ragan, and Sadler than the regular superstars.

Qualifying Procedures
Forty-six cars will attempt to qualify for 43 spots. Cars not in the top 35 in the 2010 owners point standings will have to qualify based on speed. Starting positions No. 1-43 will be determined by qualifying on Saturday, April 23 at 11:35 a.m. ET.

Fantasy Cheat Sheet

Top 5
No. 2 Kurt Busch: Busch has cracked the top 10 in eight his last 10 starts at Talladega. He is a great option on Sunday.
No. 11 Denny Hamlin: Hamlin has brought fast sleds to Talladega four of the past five trips to the track. He will be strong again this weekend.
No. 48 Jimmie Johnson: Johnson has averaged just a 14th-place finish the past eight races at Talladega, but he has been much faster than his average finish at the track. He should be inside the top five when the race goes checkers.
No. 24 Jeff Gordon: Gordon has six career wins at Talladega including both the 2007 races. He could be showered by beer cans again this weekend.

Slideshow   2010 winners Take a look at every NASCAR driver who has claimed a checkered flag this season. NBCSports.com

No. 20 Joey Logano: Logano impressed everyone in his first couple trips to Talladega. It wouldn't surprise us if he won on Sunday.

6 to 10
No. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.: After finishing no worse than second in seven straight 'Dega races Junior has cracked the top 10 just three times in the past 10 races at the track. He will need lots of luck on Sunday to regain his King of Talladega nickname.
No. 1 Jamie McMurray: McMurray snuck a win at Talladega last November and won at Daytona this year. He is rapidly becoming a force in all restrictor plate races.
No. 14 Tony Stewart: Stewart won the 2008 fall race at Talladega and is itching for a top finish this season. He will push the limits this weekend.
No. 6 David Ragan: Ragan has been better than average at Talladega during his career. He will likely hang back and hope to pick the correct draft on the late laps. This is the best strategy to use at 'Dega, and it could result in another top-15 finish for the No. 6.
No. 31 Jeff Burton: Burton has cracked the top 12 the fast four trips to Alabama. He is worth using in all leagues.