YellaWood 500 2024 BellyUp Racing Picks

We’re back plate racing, folks! NASCAR takes on its biggest track again at Talladega Super Speedway for the YellaWood 500. After Ross Chastain spoiled Kansas last weekend, no drivers are locked into the next round of the playoffs. Now in Alabama, anything goes. We’ll see some carnage, some hard racing, and hopefully a spectacular finish at Talladega this weekend. As usual, Chris and I have banded together to give you two drivers we’re looking at. And in the fun of plate racing, we gave you a wildcard as we did for Daytona, where I called Harrison Burton’s victory, and at Atlanta’s last round. So without further adieu, let’s get right into our picks for the 2024 YellaWood 500!

Chris’s Picks: #1 Ross Chastain (+2000) & #14 Chase Briscoe (+4000)

So, looking at recent drives at Talladega you might wonder why I am picking Ross. Stay with me though, Ross knows how to win at Talladega. He’s done it in 2022 by just being in the right place at the right time. He’s also scored stage points in four out of five races at Talladega since joining Trackhouse. However, it’s not just that, in all of the “drafting” style track races this year, Ross hasn’t finished outside the top fifteen. He’s figured out how to make it to the end, and he’s coming off his first win of the season last week. Could he use his aggression to his benefit and grab his second Talladega win? 

These odds honestly surprised me a little. However, I like them, and here’s why. Not only is the chance to make a huge profit here but in his seven career Cup Series starts at Talladega. Chase has only wrecked out once and has finished inside the top fifteen the other six times. Something about Talladega clicks for Chase, but not only that a lot like my first choice. Chase has had a pretty solid year on this type of track as well. Finishing tenth in the Daytona 500, twelfth in the Spring ‘Dega race, and fourteenth in the Coke Zero 400. He made it further than anyone outside of his team expected, so why not continue that run with another shocking win? 

Kaleb’s Picks: #2 Austin Cindric (+2000) & #9 Chase Elliott (+1300)

Team Penske always turns it up in the post-season, and Austin Cindric has been quite surprising through these playoffs. After struggling in Kansas, this team sits -29 below the cutline. But last round, he scored a ton of points at Atlanta and Watkins Glen. We see a similar set of tracks with Talladega and the Charlotte Roval next weekend. At Talladega, Cindric has posted T10s in the last two fall races here. He’d rather not talk about the spring editions, not cracking the top 20. Although he did win stage one, and finish runner-up in stage two back in April. He’s a worthy competitor to throw some money on to make a T10 appearance or lead some laps if you see those props.

As for Chase Elliott, he knows his way around Talladega. Plain and simple the guy finds a way to the front and gives himself a chance. Since winning this race in the fall of 2022, he hasn’t finished below P7. Winning two stages and finishing runner up in another. He’ll collect a ton of points and should be in the mix for the lead at the end of the race. I really like #9 for the YellaWood 500.

Chris’s Wildcard Pick: #19 Martin Truex Jr (+2500)

I’m taking a page out of Kaleb’s book this weekend with the wildcard pick. While he isn’t getting fired Martin Truex Jr. is in his final full-time season as a Cup Series driver. He will retire at the end of the season. It’s been talked about plenty over the years each time the series heads to the Super Speedways, especially in the last few years. In twenty years, as a Cup series driver Martin has never won a race on a “drafting” style of track. He’s came close,  finishing second to Denny Hamlin back in the 2016 Daytona 500.  He’s only grabbed nine top ten finishes at Talladega in the Cup Series, even after winning three times in the Xfinity series way back. I know those aren’t good numbers but in his final season as a full-time driver. Why couldn’t he check this off his list of accomplishments? I mean Harrison Burton won the Coke Zero 400 out of no where so anything can and will happen I’m sure.

Kaleb’s Wildcard: #51 Corey Lajoie (+6500)

In a similar fashion to my Harrison Burton pick back at the Coke Zero Sugar 400, hear me out. This guy just got kicked out of the #7 Spire Motorsports car for Justin Haley. They didn’t even give him the end of the season. His pit crew, his spotter, everybody stayed over there and he ended up at Rick Ware Racing for the rest of the year on a tryout to keep a Cup Series ride. Haley got all the praise in the world for dragging this #51 car to two top-10 finishes and a handful of T15s. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if Lajoie brought one to victory lane two weeks into the job? I’m here for the jokes, I’m here for the storyline. This can’t compare to Burton getting the Wood Brothers their illustrious 100th win when he was already told to pack his bags, but it’s the best I can offer.

If you enjoyed this content, or hate it and want to argue with me, follow me on Twitter @KalebMcChesney! Also, read up on the rest of the NASCAR content Belly Up Sports offers here! Heck, for all your other sports needs, follow the main page. If you love racing of any shape or form, find Chris on Twitter, and let’s talk!