If there’s one thing Talladega’s famous for, it’s chaos. Every race, fans buckle up for a high-speed demolition derby disguised as a superspeedway showdown. From “The Big One” that wiped out half the field on the final lap in 2012, to Kyle Busch’s brutal multi-car wreck in 2021, Talladega has a reputation for chewing up cars and testing nerves. It’s unpredictable, it’s messy, and it’s why fans can’t look away.
With another crash-heavy weekend looming, NASCAR has quietly made a key rule tweak. It might sound minor at first glance, but for teams desperate to survive the carnage and keep their cars on track, it’s a timely change worth noting. And it could shape how Talladega’s madness unfolds.
NASCAR tweaks DVP again as Talladega chaos looms
NASCAR’s Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP) has been a hot topic since it was introduced in 2017. The rule limits how long teams can work on a damaged car during a race, keeping fields safer and cleaner. If repairs aren’t made within a set time, or if a car can’t get back to minimum speed, it’s done. Ahead of the 2025 season, NASCAR updated the policy to give teams a little breathing room.
In 2024, incidents with Josh Berry at Kansas and Ryan Blaney at Watkins Glen set the tone. Both drivers were out of the race after not being able to drive back to their pit stall for repairs because of flat tires. Outrage sparked over the DVP, and then all hell broke loose at none other than Talladega! Chase Elliott was towed back to the garage after a 25+ car wreck, while some cars were left stranded on the track, and after repairs, Elliott was allowed to continue! After a slew of backlash, including Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin saying, “The finishing order of Talladega was a sham at best,” NASCAR tweaked the DVP heading into 2025.
Now, instead of being automatically disqualified when sent to the garage, teams can make repairs there and return to the track. It was a welcome change, especially for superspeedways like Talladega, where surviving the wreck fest was half the battle. And just before Talladega’s race weekend, NASCAR tweaked the DVP once more.
The most important change comes to the diffuser flaps. Teams are now allowed to replace diffuser flaps (extensions) while repairing their cars. Before this, swapping those parts was against the rules, often forcing cars out of races for damage that was otherwise fixable. As reported by FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass on X, “NASCAR updated its Cup DVP policy where it used to not allow teams to replace the diffuser flaps, but now they can replace the diffuser flaps (extensions) when making their repairs.”
NASCAR updated its Cup DVP policy where it used to not allow teams to replace the diffuser flaps but now they can replace the diffuser flaps (extensions) when making their repairs. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/ASHZPRnF14
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 16, 2025
For the uninitiated, diffuser flaps are small aerodynamic components located under the rear of the car. They help manage airflow and rear stability, especially crucial in the high-speed draft packs at Talladega. Damaged flaps affect downforce and can make a car dangerously loose, increasing the risk of more wrecks.
This adjustment could be a game-changer. With the new rule, teams might salvage raceable cars after heavy contact. It also means more cars will stay on track after early crashes, adding to the late-race drama Talladega’s known for. Expect chaos! But now, with a few more cars still standing.
Who’s favored to tame the Talladega mayhem?
NASCAR Superspeedway races like Talladega are notoriously unpredictable, but a few names consistently rise to the top. Ryan Blaney heads into the event as a fan and driver favorite. With three wins and three top-5 finishes at Talladega under his belt, he’s proven he can navigate the chaos. Even Kevin Harvick tipped Blaney on his Happy Hour podcast, putting it straight and simple, “I will take Blaney.”
Another driver high on the list is Joey Logano. The Team Penske driver is no stranger to victory lane at Talladega, with three Cup Series wins of his own here. His aggressive style and ability to work the draft to his advantage make him a perennial threat when it comes down to those final, frantic laps. He desperately needs a win here as his current season performance has been rather lacklustre with just one top-10 finish.
Keep an eye on Bubba Wallace, too. Wallace claimed his first Cup Series win at Talladega in 2021 and has remained competitive at superspeedways since. With the ability to avoid wrecks and position himself late in the race, he’s quietly become one of the stronger restrictor-plate racers on the circuit.
However, it is current Cup Series leader William Byron who has had the best outing at Talladega. While he might not have a trophy from this track yet, Byron’s consistency speaks volumes in a place where chaos reigns. He has the best average finish at the Talladega Superspeedway in the Next-Gen car – 7.7. This includes 2 top-5s and 4 top-10s, and his best finish in the second position. If he can stay out of crashes, this could finally be his moment to seal the deal.
At the end of the day, though, it’s Talladega. And anyone in the lead pack with five laps to go is a legitimate contender. From past champions to surprise underdogs, expect a white-knuckle finish with drivers like Blaney, Logano, Byron, and Wallace all likely in the mix when it matters most.
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