LOOKING TO SAVE A NASCAR SEASON

The winningest active driver at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama just might be able to save his season today by defending last year’s victory.

Brad Keselowski isn’t banking on a seventh Talladega win, though. But if it’s in reach, well, Keselowski won’t hold back in search of his first victory since leaving Team Penske for an ownership stake at RFK Racing.

“We’ve got a great shot,” Keselowski said. “If we’re anywhere close, I’m going to leave it all out on the line.”

A penalty for illegal modifications made to the No. 6 Ford has devastated Keselowski’s first season as a driver-owner and knocked him to bottom of the Cup standings, lower than any other full-time driver. It took him a month to climb from 35th in points to 30th — a mark he hit last week at Bristol that makes him eligible for the playoffs should he win a race.

His best chances at victory are likely at Daytona or Talladega.

Keselowski will start 15th today as the Ford camp struggled in qualifying. Joey Logano, his former Penske teammate, was the highest-qualifying Ford driver at 13th.

Christopher Bell and Martin Truex Jr. led a Toyota lockout of the front row for Joe Gibbs Racing in qualifying, but the plan for today will have to be perfect to get the Japanese automaker into victory lane. Of the 39 cars in the field, only six are Toyotas; Chevrolet, meanwhile, has 17 entries and Ford has 16.

Elsewhere

Noah Gragson held off Jeffrey Earnhardt in triple overtime to win the Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday for his second win of the season.

Max Verstappen overtook Formula One leader Charles Leclerc on the penultimate lap to win the sprint race at the Emilia-romagna Grand Prix and reignite his season in Imola, Italy. Verstappen has the top spot on the grid for today’s race.

Steve Torrence took the No. 1 spot in Top Fuel qualifying at the final NHRA Springnationals, moving past Brittany Force at Houston Raceway Park. Ron Capps topped the Funny Car field.