OPR Staff and Fan Fantasy Results for NNS at Talladega Superspeedway

On Saturday afternoon, it was Elliott Sadler that avoided trouble and made the right moves at the end to take the victory for his first win since August 2012.

While Sadler gets the big win, which of the pickers chose drivers that avoided the wrecks and which of our pickers wished they had better luck?

Each picker was asked to choose three drivers, with one driver having to be a series regular.

The Picks

Ashley McCubbin chose Regan Smith, Elliott Sadler and Trevor Bayne. Despite qualifying in the 30s, Regan Smith made his way to the front of hte field before halfway and was leading late in the race when was shuffled back, though fought his way back to third. Meanwhile, Trevor Bayne fought back to finish 10th despite being involved in one of the many wrecks throughout the day. Points: 42+48+34=124

Marshall Gabell chose Kasey Kahne, Regan Smith and Sam Hornish Jr. Kasey Kahne ran upfront much of the race despite his poor qualifying effort, though fell victim to a wreck late in the race. Meanwhile, Sam Hornish Jr. won the pole and ran upfront, though a lengthy pit stop to fix a shaky windshield had Hornish behind the eight-ball and fighting his way to a fifth place finish. Points: 22+42+39=103

Tayler Stiles chose Kasey Kahne, Regan Smith and Chase Elliott. Chase Elliott ran inside the top five much of hte second half of the event till he sustained damage in a late race crash, regulating him to a 19th place finish. Points: 22+42+26=90

Kreistina Blinova chose Kasey Kahne, Regan Smith and Chase Elliott. Points: 22+42+26=90

Ronald Costigan chose Kasey Kahne, Chase Elliott and Elliott Sadler. Points: 22+26+48=96

Justin Tucker chose Kasey Kahne, Regan Smith and Chase Elliott. Points: 22+42+26=90

Terry Wagner was listed on the pick article as choosing Trevor Bayne, Chase Elliott and James Buescher. However, upon further review, I posted the wrong pick as he said CHRIS BUESCHER not JAMES BUESCHER. See the below facebook post photo caption for proof.

With that said, Chris Buescher ran a great race, avoiding trouble throughout and cautiously working his way to the front to finish second. Points: 42+26+15=83

Christina Cordner chose Brian Scott, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney. Brian Scott was taken out virtue of bump-drafting gone wrong with Bayne, while Blaney made a couple of mistakes and wall contact on his way to finishing 21st. Points: 12+26+23=81

Billy Stiles Jr. chose Kasey Kahne, Regan Smith and Chase Elliott. Points: 22+42+26=90

Billy Zardo chose Ty Dillon, Chase Elliott and Sam Hornish Jr. Ty Dillon got into the wall during one of the incidents, resulting in a 15th place finish. Points: 30+26+39=95

Robert Hill chose Trevor Bayne, Regan Smith and Sam Hornish Jr. Points: 34+42+39=115

The Results

1. Ashley McCubbin – 124
2. Robert Hill – 115
3. Marshall Gabell – 103
4. Ronald Costigan – 96
5. Billy Zardo – 90
6. Tayler Stiles – 90
7. Kreistina Blinova – 90
8. Justin Tucker – 90
9. Billy Stiles Jr. – 90
10. Terry Wagner – 83
11. Christina Cordner – 81

Nationwide Series Points:

Those who missed the first three events received an automatic value that is 10 points minus the lowest scored participant.

1. Ashley McCubbin –390+124=514
2. Ronald Costigan –368+96=464
3. Tayler Stiles –371+90=461
4. Billy Zardo –346+95=441
5. Terry Wagner –357+83=440
6. Billy Stiles Jr. – 345+90=435
7. Christina Cordner –349+81=430
8. Robert Hill – 309+115=424
9. Marshall Gabell –319+103=422
10. Justin Tucker –319+90=409
11. Kreistina Blinova – 309+90=399

Combined

Note: Those who missed the first three events received an automatic value that is 10 points minus the lowest scored participant.

1. Ashley McCubbin – 657+124=781
2. Ronald Costigan – 657+96=753
3. Terry Wagner – 635+83=718
4. Billy Zardo – 621+95=716
5. Tayler Stiles – 624+90=714
6. Billy Stiles Jr. –620+90=710
7. Christina Cordner – 598+81=679
8. Robert Hill – 561+115=676
9. Marshall Gabell – 571+103=674
10. Justin Tucker –575+90=665
11. Kreistina Blinova – 561+90=651

Next Race: Iowa Speedway – May 18th