Talladega proved to be just as exciting as it has always been. There was the “big one,” times two, a first time winner and of course some beating and banging.
The “big one” was multiplied times two Sunday and each was equally damaging to the two sets of drivers.
The first “big one” happened on lap 63 with Brian Vickers, the leader of the middle row of cars, who was battling for the lead with all the other cars on the frontstretch when his right front tire exploded. The explosion sent his No. 83 Toyota into the left side of Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 1 Chevrolet and many cars and drivers searching for clarity.
The “chasers” were fortunate and missed heavy damage, if any, while eight drivers, including Kasey Kahne and Jamie McMurray, saw an end to what could have been a great day.
The second “big one” was not the product of an exploding tire, but rather it was the result of a pushy teammate.
Greg Biffle, who was battling for the lead, was being pushed by teammate, Carl Edwards, when an Edwards’ push in the wrong part of the track sent both into the wall. They did what the first “big one” did not accomplish — take out a good majority of the “chasers” including fellow teammate Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch, who still can’t seem to catch a break.
The only “chasers” to make it through were Jimmie Johnson, who overcame an engine problem, and Tony Stewart, who was the eventual race winner.
Stewart’s win, his first since Watkins Glen last summer and his first at Talladega in his 10-year career, was a bit of a controversy.
While leading after the final caution, for debris, Stewart had the three remaining Dale Earnhardt Inc. cars (Regan Smith, Paul Menard and part-time driver, Aric Almirola), the only remaining Gillett Evernham car (Elliott Sadler) and Roush-Fenway Racing’s only lead lap car (David Ragan) lined up behind him with three laps to go — a green-white-checkered restart. The green flag flew and all the cars remained lined up behind him. The cars did not jump around much, but some did attempt to get to lead, only to fall back.
The white flag flew, one-lap to go, and the Top 5 cars, were still in line. Smith, who was second showed no attempt to move as they came around the last turn. With nothing to lose, Smith duck below the yellow line in an attempt to pass Stewart. Stewart covered and it appeared he may have pushed him down further below the yellow line.
Crossing the finish line, it was Smith first and Stewart second. Smith looked to have won his first ever race and Stewart looked to have finished second yet again. However, NASCAR rules state that no driver can pass for position below the yellow line, unless pushed down there. NASCAR declared Smith’s move illegal and gave Stewart the win.
While Stewart was happy for finally accomplishing the one thing that was unattainable, Smith was a little peeved, to say the least, and expressed his disappointment during post-race interviews.
With Stewart’s win, he jumped up four spots to seventh in the points, 203 behinds behind Johnson.
Fellow “chasers” Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin experienced problems earlier in the race. Gordon was involved in a wreck on lap 55 and after he returned to the track, several laps down, his No. 24 Chevrolet had engine problems and blew up leaving fluid and debris on the track.
As for Hamlin, he was leading on lap 99 when his tire exploded sending him into the wall. His Toyota was the only car involved in the wreck, sending Hamlin o the local hospital in Birmingham, Ala. for further observation. After spending the night in the hospital, he was released Monday morning.
It’s on to NASCARolina — Lowe’s Motor Speedway — for the one and only night race in the “Chase for the Sprint Cup.” Who will win? Will it be Stewart, for back-to-back wins, to get the win that failed him in May? Will it be Kasey Kahne to sweep all three racing events at LMS? Or maybe it’ll be Jimmie Johnson to finally win again at LMS after being dethroned by Kahne in 2006? Who knows, but it is sure to be a great race.
Don’t miss:
From Charlotte
- Sprint Cup qualifying, Thursday night at 7 on ESPN2
- Dollar General 300 (Nationwide race), Friday night at 7:30 on ESPN2
- Bank of America 500 (Sprint Cup race), Saturday night at 7 on ABC
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