The Ford NASCAR Cup teams have had a dreadful 2024 season, failing to win a single race. The closest they came to victory was at Atlanta, where the reigning champion finished in second place in a thrilling photo finish. However, there is hope for them to break this winless streak at Talladega, the upcoming race.
Talladega has historically been a track where Ford has seen consistent victories. However, it remains uncertain if they can replicate this success with the new Ford Dark Horse introduced this season. Nevertheless, the importance of Talladega for Ford has been highlighted by Kevin Havick, who drove for Ford in his final years at Stewart Haas Racing.
Havick believes that not winning at Talladega would be a major failure for the team. He sees this track as the only place where Ford has an advantage over its competitors and where they can finally end their winless streak. Despite Ford teams winning two championships in the Next-Gen era, Havick does not believe that the current champion drivers have the strong cars needed to lift the team out of their current situation.
According to Havick, Talladega is the only opportunity for Ford to secure a win before the playoffs, given their performance at other racetracks. This sentiment is echoed by the 2024 Champion, who emphasizes the need for serious consideration of Ford’s current state. To bounce back, the team must focus on improving their cars and supporting their drivers to regain momentum and secure a victory. Talladega provides the perfect opportunity for teamwork and collaboration through drafting to achieve this goal.