NASCAR At Talladega Superspeedway: Clint Bowyer Takes Checkered Flag

All of the hype about Sunday’s NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway turned out to be true: It really was the wild-card race in the Chase and ended up as unpredictable as everyone imagined.

After a shakeup in the Sprint Cup Series point standings and some disappointing days for some Chase drivers (MORE: See the Talladega race results here), here are some selected quotes:

The superstar drafting tandem of five-time NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who raced together to win the spring Talladega race, didn’t have anywhere close to the same fortune on Sunday.

After hanging around the back of the field for most of the day in order to stay out of trouble, Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. had every intention of making their move with about 20 laps to go.

After a very mixed day at Talladega Superspeedway for Richard Childress Racing – the team won the race with Clint Bowyer but saw championship contender Kevin Harvick get caught in a wreck – owner Richard Childress chided his rivals for their race strategy.

Because wrecks are likely at Talladega and drivers can use two-car drafts to easily soar back through the field, some drivers choose to hang back until the end of the race.

After pledging to work with Jeff Gordon on the final run of Sunday’s NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway, Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne left his childhood hero high and dry on the sprint to the finish.

Bayne expressed regret via Twitter after the race, tweeting:

Sunday’s NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway turned into an elimination race for several drivers.

Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch wrecked midway through the race. Kurt Busch wrecked late. Jimmie Johnson was never able to rally after running in the back for most of the day.

Crashes, white-knuckle racing and a close finish made for another excellent race at Talladega, with Clint Bowyer earning his first win of the year thanks to a bit of teamwork and a slingshot at the end. As the field bunch up late in the race, the restarts came often, but Bowyer was able to take it by a hair on the green-white-checkered.

With 14 laps to go, Bobby Labonte went around and slammed hard after losing control in a turn. As Labonte spun, Kurt Busch slammed into his car in a violent collision.. Both cars sustained significant damage, though Labonte’s looked like it got the worst of it. Busch took his car straight to the garage after the incident.

David Gilliland and Tony Stewart won’t be working together in Sunday’s NASCAR race at Talladega, breaking up a pairing that has been successful in the past.

As it turns out, manufacturer Ford didn’t think it was a good idea for its drivers to be pushing cars from other manufacturers – particularly those who are a threat to win the championship.

Mark Martin won the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, jumping to the top spot with five cars left in Saturday’s qualifying session.

As such, the 52-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver will lead the starting lineup, ahead of teammate Jimmie Johnson and Richard Childress Racing’s Clint Bowyer.

Andy Lally is adamant about wanting to stay in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next season. He’s just not sure who might give him the opportunity.

Lally said Saturday after qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway he’s unsure of his future plans and doesn’t know if TRG Motorsports – his current team – will retain him in 2012.

The windshields of Martin Truex Jr., David Reutimann and Bobby Labonte were confiscated on Friday after NASCAR found “unapproved modifications” to the parts.

NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said penalties are expected at the beginning of next week.

Tony Stewart is suddenly single and needs to find a partner before Sunday’s NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway.

No, we’re not talking about Stewart’s infamous “dead weight” comment after New Hampshire. Come on, folks – get your minds on racing, not gossip!

The 2012 Daytona 500 could look a whole lot like the 2011 Daytona 500, if Thursday’s electronic fuel injection test at Talladega Superspeedway is any indication.

In other words, the field will likely be split into two-car drafts, as has been the case for each of the restrictor-plate races this season.

We have a great weekend for racing in western Alabama. Skies will be mostly sunny and temperatures will be very comfortable. The only thing I can find will be the cold morning temperatures. Those camping make sure you stock up on the wood. You’re going to need it.

FRIDAY:

10:30 a.m EDT

Truck Final Practice – Sunny skies – temp: 50

2:30 p.m EDT

Sprint Cup Practice– Sunny skies – temp: 62

4 p.m EDT

Truck Qualifying – Sunny skies – temp: 63

5 p.m EDT

Nationwide Race – Sunny skies – temp: 61