The Essentials
Race: AMP Energy 500Time: Sunday 1:00 p.m. EST
TV/Radio: ABC, MRN Radio
Twitter: Updates @ FanHouseRacing
Forecast: Sunny, High 60s
Distance: 188 laps (500 miles)
Pole Winner: Jimmie Johnson
2008 Winner: Tony Stewart
The Storylines
Consider this as NASCAR's version of laying down the law, but with one problem -- will they actually enforce it?
NASCAR made big noise Sunday morning at Talladega when they told drivers in the pre-race meeting that bump drafting in today's race while racing through the corners would not be permitted. And to back up the rule, they promised to even swipe a victory away if a driver was found to be in violation.
It's a tough rhetoric that we've heard before from NASCAR, but this time it seems like they mean business.
NASCAR is trying to avoid, ultimately, what happened at Talladega back in April when Carl Edwards' No. 99 turned into a 3,200-pound pinball on the final lap. Some catchfencing along the frontstretch was the only thing that kept Edwards from sailing into the packed grandstands -- though parts and pieces did injure fans.
NASCAR wants to eliminate the phenomenon that has creeped up with the Car of Tomorrow platform that allows two drivers to pair up -- one pushing the other -- and fly hundreds of yards ahead of the competition. That's what happened with Edwards' situation after Edwards was pushed to the lead and then Brad Keselowski tried to pass him.
I do get what NASCAR is trying to do, but come on -- do they think such rules will prevent a wreck? I don't see it making much of a difference in the probability of a nasty crash today at the 2.66-mile behemoth of a race track but I do foresee one problem: the potential for a huge controversy at the end of the day thanks to NASCAR's judgment call.
We'll see how it works.
We know exactly what you're rooting for in the 2009 championship if you're not so much of a Jimmie Johnson fan, and Talladega might just provide the necessary ingredients to make the 2009's recipe a little better for you.
Jimmie knows it, his competitors know it, you know it and I know it: Talladega is the biggest of wildcards in the Chase for the Sprint Cup and more than likely the last best shot for anyone to come within striking distance of three-time.
Of course, Jimmie Johnson fans hate the talk of people wanting him to fall back to the competition and that's certainly something you can't blame them for. They want their boy to win. The good news for the No. 48 supporters? Just walk on nails for three or so hours Sunday and if Johnson makes it to the end in respectable position -- pull out those credit cards for some championship gear.
The Talladega weather already showed some love to Johnson after qualifying on Saturday morning was rained out.
Johnson, by nature of leading the points, will get to start from the pole on Sunday and had the number one choice of a pit stall. He took pit stall number one -- the last one on pit road towards turn one.
Teammates Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon (No.'s 2 & 3 in points) both opted for a garage opening in front of their stall for an easy exit from a stop and an easy place to pull in and fix a damaged race car.
Enjoy the race.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-01-2009 @ 3:30PM
db1anonly said...
This is a boring race in Talladega i cant see fans go to this type of racing in the future
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11-02-2009 @ 10:02AM
DumbAss said...
I agree with this and Ryan Newmans statements after he wrecked. NASCAR you better start paying attention. That was a boring race and I do not watdh Nascar to see the wrecks. Let the drivers race. Next you'll be telling them how many breaths they can take in a lap.
11-01-2009 @ 5:18PM
Big Bad John said...
Another Talladega wreck filled race.When will NASCAR understand that every time that They slow the race cars down it makes them more dangerous. If they are serious about making the race saver they will start all over no restricter plates give the cars power back let them run wide open and their wiil be no more serious wreck. You can test and if they run to fast then lower the cubic inches.By the way to go Murray Rousch and of course FORD.
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11-01-2009 @ 5:23PM
sauruss4u said...
Make Talladega a 1 3/4 or 2 mile track and scrap the restrictor plates for good..........This racing sucks compared to the days of Awesome Bill, King Richard, Cale, The Silver Fox and the like. Nascar instituted all the Superspeedway rules because of 2 airborne crashes........since the plate and numerous bad rule changes I lost count how many multi car crashes have happened. The drivers and car owners need to step up to Nascar and take a stand and refuse to race there until somebody does something to make the Talladega race watchable again. They claim the fans love it.........I don't and no one else I know does either. I stopped buying tickets more than 10 yrs ago and watch about 1/3 of the schedule on TV and that is usually done in segments. The ratings, sponsorships and fan base are getting smaller. You can figure this thing out NASCAR........or can you?
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11-02-2009 @ 2:56PM
jwat66 said...
mike helton needs to be replaced. he can make new rules but he can't back up his word. in the drivers meeting it was said that there will be NO bump-drafting or pushing through the turns at the 'dega race. from what i saw, there were atleast 25 drivers that did NOT listen to that during the race and NOTHING was done. nascar can hold an aggressive driver on pit road in a nationwide race but not do it in a sprint race? why the difference? nascar racing is becoming a joke to watch anymore. if you make a rule, stick to it.
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