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5 Bold Predictions For Talladega

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5 Bold Predictions For Talladega

Talladega main slide
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It's make-or-break time for the 12 drivers remaining in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, as that number will dwindle to eight with the bottom four being eliminated at the end of Sunday's race at Talladega. With that in mind, here are five bold predictions for Sunday's race.

5. Brad Keselowski will race his way in

Brad Keselowski Talladega
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5. Brad Keselowski will race his way in

Brad Keselowski Talladega
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Brad Keselowski is currently 10th, 19 points behind Kasey Kahne, who is eighth. Keselowski has had his ups and downs at Talladega with two wins and four DNFs, but he's proven that he can handle pressure before. With teammate Joey Logano pushing him around the 2.66-mile tri-oval, look for a good finish from Keselowski.

4. Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be eliminated

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jimmie Johnson Talladega
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4. Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be eliminated

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jimmie Johnson Talladega
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Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are in an even deeper hole than Keselowski and sit 26 points back of Kahne. That will prove to be too big of a deficit for even Johnson to climb out of.

3. There will be more than one 'Big One'

Talladega big crash
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3. There will be more than one 'Big One'

Talladega big crash
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The "big one," or the inevitable multi-car crash that always seems to happen at restrictor-plate races, will happen at least twice on Sunday. Every car is competitive, and the desperate moves of those who ordinarily don't get a chance to run up front, combined with desperate Chasers, will lead to several large accidents.

2. All three Gibbs drivers will advance

Joe Gibbs Racing
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2. All three Gibbs drivers will advance

Joe Gibbs Racing
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Kyle Busch is currently in great shape, and Denny Hamlin is in decent shape, 16 points ahead of Kahne in seventh. Kenseth is one point behind Kahne, but is a great restrictor-plate driver. For all that has been said about Gibbs' lack of speed this year with only two wins combined between the three, all will make the eliminator round of the Chase.

1. A Ganassi driver will win the race

Chip Ganassi Racing
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1. A Ganassi driver will win the race

Chip Ganassi Racing
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Over the past few races, the Ganassi cars of Jamie McMurray and Kyle Larson have been among the fastest cars week in and week out. Larson is beyond due for his first win and finished ninth at Talladega earlier this year. McMurray is a two-time winner at Talladega. Look for one of the two to get it done on Sunday.

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