2012 Aaron's 499 | Talladega Superspeedway (HD)

[Captioning brought to you by FOX Broadcasting] ♪♪ >> Chris: TODAY IS, YOU'LL HAVE A FRONT-ROW SEAT FOR THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE. JUST ASK BRAD KESELOWSKI OR CARL EDWARDS ABOUT THEIR TALLADEGA EXPERIENCE. IT'S A PLACE SO FAST, SO DANGEROUS, THEY HAVE TO USE A RESTRICTOR-PLATE JUST TO KEEP THE CARS FROM FLYING OFF THE TRACK. DRIVERS, VIEWERS BEWARE: THE BIG ONE WORKS! ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Chris: CARS AND CRAZINESS. NASCAR ON FOX WELCOMES YOU LIVE TO TALLADEGA, ALABAMA. THE AARON'S 499 PRE-RACE SHOW. WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE WITH US. IT RAINED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER HERE. TEMPERATURES IN THE 70s, BUT CLEARING. WE'RE GETTING READY TO GO RACING. PREDICTING A WINNER IS WIDE OPEN. THE SPACES AT THE TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY. THERE IS SIX-TIME WINNER HERE, JEFF GORDON. KYLE BUSCH, LAST WEEK'S WINNER. MATT KENSETH, THE DAYTONA 500 WINNER. ANXIOUS, EXCITED, EAGER FOR THE AARON'S 499. OUR HOLLYWOOD HOTEL. PARKED IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL. WE'RE GLAD YOU COULD JOIN US AS WE WELCOME YOU TO TENTH RACE OF THE SEASON. JEFF GORDON ON THE POLE, ARIC A. ALLMENDINGER ALONGSIDE. I'M ALONGSIDE MICHAEL WALTRIP. AND DARRELL WALTRIP. A SPECIAL ONE-HOUR LONG PRE-RACE SHOW. YOU HAVE YOUR FIRE SUIT UNDERNEATH THIS SUIT. YOU ARE GOING TO BE DRIVING IN THE RACE TODAY. >> Michael: ON FRIDAY I PRACTICED WITH THE BOYS. A LOT OF FUN TO GET OUT THERE AND MIX IT UP. QUALIFIED IN THE TOP TEN. IT SHOULD BE A GREAT DAY. >> Darrell: YEAH, YOU KNOW, THE DRIVERS -- WHAT IS THAT? >> Chris: HE ACTUALLY HAS -- HE IS ALL SET TO GO. RACE FROM HERE. >> Darrell: PUT YOUR LEG OVER -- >> Chris: WE WANT YOUR INSIGHT THROUGHOUT. DARRELL, THIS RACE, IS KNOWN AS THE GREAT EQUALIZER, RIGHT? WHY DO THEY CALL IT THAT? >> Darrell: A GREAT WHISER. --THE GREAT EQUALIZER. YOU'RE LIKE A BOBBLEHEAD. YOU HAVE TO LOOK BEHIND YOU, FORWARD, RIGHT, LEFT. THEY COME AT YOU FROM EVERY DIRECTION. VISION. YOU ARE TO BE A VISIONARY TO WIN HERE. >> Michael: THE DAY OF SYNCHRONIZEED PREMEDITATING DRIVING ARE OVER. WE USED TO PAIR UP. WE HAD A PLAN. WE KNEW WHO OUR FRIEND WAS AND WHERE TO GO. NOW IT'S PACK RACING. AT THE END OF THE RACE, YOU CAN'T FIND YOUR BUDDY MORE THAN LIKELY. YOU HAVE TO GO WITH ANYBODY. THAT'S WHY IT'S FUN. YOU HAVE SEEN THE GREAT FINISHS AT TALLADEGA. TODAY SHOULD BE NO EXCEPTION. >> Darrell: THE DRIVERS, YOU KNOW, YOU FEAR THIS PLACE, CHRIS. YOU REALLY DO FEAR THIS PLACE. >> Chris: IT'S FUN FOR US TO WATCH. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU WILL GET AT THE END. OVER 2-1/2 MILES THIS THE LONGEST TRACK THE DRIVERS RUN ON. YOU CAN GO FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE. THAT CREATES DRAMATIC, UNPREDICTABLE FINISHES. 20 TIMES, TALLADEGA RACES HAVE BEEN SETTLED BY A LAST-LAP PASS. >> IN THE WEST, DRIVING IN THE SECOND. THE WINNER FROM THE TOP! ♪♪ ♪♪ >> HERE THEY COME, CHALLENGING FOR THE FRONT. 100,000 PEOPLE ON THEIR FEET AND SCREAMING. DARRELL WALTRIP HAS WON IT. THE MOST EXCITING 500-MILE STOCK CAR RACE PERHAPS IN HISTORY! >> SEAN, ALABAMA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY. WINDS IT UP AND THEY COME OUT OF THE TRIOVAL HEADED FOR THE LINE. DALE EARNHARDT HAS DONE IT AGAIN! [ APPLAUSE ] >> DALE EARNHARDT, TO THE OUTSIDE OF MIKE SKINER. THE FANS JUST BESIDE THEMSELVES HERE AT TALLADEGA. EARNHARDT WINS THE WINSTON 500! >> GO! >> OH, NO! HE TURNS HIM. >> NO! NO! >> OH, NO! >> BRAD KESELOWSKI WON THIS RACE. >> LAST CHANCE, THROUGH THE TRIOVAL. >> HERE HE COMES. >> HERE THEY COME. [ CHEERS & APPLAUSE ] WATCH OUT. DOWN LOW. WAY DOWN COMES JOHNSON. THREE BY THREE IN THE LINE. MAYBE JIMMIE JOHNSON. .02 OF A SECOND! >> WHAT A FINISH! >> AT THE ALABAMA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SPEEDWAY. >> Chris: SOME GREAT MOMENTS. IF YOU'RE A DRIVER, WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE OTHER THAN WINNING ON THE LAST LAP? IS SECOND PLACE A GOOD SPOT? >> Darrell: IT'S A GREAT SPOT. THERE HASN'T BEEN A WINNER HERE FROM LEADING THE LAST LAP SINCE 2009. THERE HAS BEEN A PASS MADE EVERY RACE ON THE LAST LAP. WE HAVE SEEN IT A COUPLE DAYS IN A ROW. YOU DON'T WANT TO BE LEADING ON THE LAST LAP ANYMORE. >> Michael: IF YOU COME OFF TURN FOUR WITH THE LEAD, YOU KNOW WHAT IS COMING. SOMEBODY IS PULLING YOU AND THEY WILL PULL OUT AND PASS YOU. YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO DO. THE GUY HUNG LOW AND THE GUY WENT AROUND THE TOP AND WON THE RACE. GO ON THE APRON, NEXT TO THE WALL, MIX IT UP. DO SOMETHING THEY DON'T EXPECT. I THINK BACK IN THE '70s YOU DID SOMETHING THEY DIDN'T EXPECT ON THE LAST LAP AND IT WORKED. >> Darrell: YEAH. I WAS LEADING THE RACE ON THE LAST LAP. YOU DON'T WANT TO LEAD THE RACE ON THE LAST LAP. FIRST TURN, I DOVE TO THE BOTTOM. EVERYBODY THOUGHT I HAD A CAR PROBLEM. IT HAD A BIG LEAD ON THE BACK AND I WON THE RACE. >> Chris: ARE THERE SOME DRIVERS IN THIS RACE THAT ARE BETTER IN THIS SITUATION THAN OTHERS, HANDLING THE SIDE DRAFT, THE SPOILER? >> Darrell: YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT TALLADEGA. THIS PLACE, THE DAY IT WAS BUILT, THE DAY IT OPENED, DRIVER HAVE FEARED THIS PLACE. THEY STILL DO TODAY. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THE RACE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. THIS PLACE IS TREACHEROUS. IT'S BAD, BAD FAST! IT'S BIG. YOU CAN MOVE AROUND. ALL THAT MOVING AROUND GETS YOU IN TROUBLE. >> Michael: YOU SEE HARVICK SURFACE AT THE FRONT. WE HAVE SEEN BOWYER AT THE FRONT. JEFF GORDON, JIMMIE JOHNSON. YES, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT UNDERSTAND THIS TYPE OF RACING BETTER THAN OTHERS. I'M TELLING YOU, WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE LAST LAP YOU THROW EVERYTHING YOU GOT AT THEM. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT MIGHT WORK OR MIGHT NOT WORK. >> Darrell: THE OTHER THING, A LOT OF FIRST-TIME WINNERS AT TALLADEGA. >> Chris: WIDE OPEN. >> Darrell: THEY DON'T KNOW. WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW, YOU DON'T KNOW. >> Chris: YOU BOTH HAVE WON HERE. SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE. >> Michael: SOMEONE THAT DON'T KNOW. >> Chris: WE MAY HAVE SOME CONTROVERSY HERE. CARL EDWARDS -- WAIT UNTIL IT'S YOUR TURN FOR THE BELL. CARL EDWARDS WENT TO THE WIRE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP LAST SEASON BUT HASN'T WON A RACE SINCE. HE LOST OUT TO TONY STEWART. HE DOMINATED LAST WEEK IN RICHMOND AND THERE WAS CONTROVERSY OVER A LATE RESTART. HE THINKS IT COST HIM BIG-TIME AND IT STILL HAS PEOPLE TALKING. LET'S LOOK BACK. 82 LAPS TO GO. CARL PENALIZED BECAUSE HE JUMPED INTO THE RESTART ZONE EARLY. AHEAD OF TONY STEWART IN THE 14. NASCAR RULED THAT STEWART WAS THE RACE LEADER AND TONY HAD THE RIGHT TO RESTART FIRST. EDWARDS WAS BLACK FLAGGED AN CONFUSED BECAUSE HE THOUGHT AT THE TIME HE WAS THE LEADER. >> HOW ABOUT THIS? BLACK FLAG, CARL EDWARDS. >> THEY GAVE US A BLACK FLAG THERE. SAID HE JUMPED THE START. THE OFFICIAL HERE TOLD US WELL WERE THE LEADER. THEY SAID WE JUMPED THE START. >> WE GET THE BLACK FLAG BECAUSE WE BEAT THE 14? OR DID WE GET THE BLACK FLAG BECAUSE WE WENT EARLY? THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. >> THEY SAY IT'S BOTH. >> BOTH? >> HOW CAN IT BE BOTH? >> Chris: THE QUESTION IS DID NASCAR GET IT RIGHT? >> Michael: YES. >> Darrell: NO! >> Chris: NO >> Darrell: NO! THEY GOT IT RIGHT. BUT LISTEN -- >> Michael: WE AGREE. >> Darrell: NO, STOP. THERE WERE SO MANY CIRCUMSTANCES GOING ON ARP THIS WHOLE RESTART. IT WAS CONVOLUTED FROM THE GET GO. MICHAEL, IF YOU COME OFF TURN TWO AND YOU LOOK UP AT THE PYLON AND IT SAYS YOU ARE LEADING THE RACE, ARE YOU LEADING THE RACE? >> Michael: NOT NECESSARILY. >> Darrell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN? IT DOESN'T COUNT? >> Michael: THE BOARD DOESN'T ALWAYS KNOW. YOU TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU ARE. TONY HASN'T BEEN TO PIT ROAD AND CARL HAD. THAT'S A GOOD HINT THAT TONY IS LEADING THE RACE. TONY CHOSE THE LINE, CHOSE THE BOTTOM. IF HE'S A LEADER, YOU DO THAT. CARL DID TWO THINGS WRONG. THEY COULD HAVE BLACK FLAGGED HIM TWICE. HE WENT EARLY AND BEFORE -- >> Chris: DID HE KNOW HE WAS DOING IT? >> Michael: YEAH. YOU KNOW WHERE THE RESTART ZONE IS. HE JUMPED BEFORE THE RESTART ZONE. ONE MORE THING AND THEN IT'S YOUR TURN, I PROMISE. I TALKED TO TONY STEWART, HE SAID WHEN CARL WENT, I AIN'T GOING. IT'S NOT TIME TO GO YET. HE MADE IT LOOK WORSE THAN IT WAS BUT THAT'S WHAT A SMART RACECAR DRIVER WILL DO. MAGNIFY SOMEONE ELSE'S MISTAKE MAKING IT LOOK WORSE. TONY DID EVERYTHING RIGHT. >> Chris: YOU TALKED TO CARL? >> Darrell: I TALKED TO CARL. CARL WAS TOLD AT THE LAST SECOND COMING AROUND THE -- >> Chris: BY THE SPOTTER. >> Darrell: THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS GOING ON. PYLON SAYS I'M LEADING THE RACE. IF THAT'S WRONG, MAYBE NASCAR IS WRONG. HE KNEW TONY WAS -- >> Chris: BUT THAT'S SOMEBODY THEY NEVER TOLD HIM OFFICIALLY. >> Darrell: SOMEBODY TOLD HIM. SPOTTER TOLD HIM. HE GOT IT FROM SOMEWHERE. MY POINT IS CALL IT OFF. WE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO GREEN. CALLED IT OFF AND SAY LOOK, THERE IS CONFUSION. THE PYLON SAYS THIS, AND THE SPOTTER SAYS THIS. CALL IT OFF. IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO CALL IT OFF, GIVE THE MAN A CHANCE TO GIVE IT BACK. THEY BLACK FLAGGED HIM. HE WENT BEFORE THE BOX BUT GIVE HIM A BREAK. ALL MESSED UP. >> NEITHER WON THE RACE. ANY CARRY-OVER FOR TODAY'S RACE? >> Michael: THIS IS A DIFFERENT BAG OF WORMS. THESE GUYS HAVE OTHER STUFF. >> Darrell: BAG OF WORMS? >> Chris: WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? >> Michael: I DON'T KNOW. >> Darrell: THERE IS NEW, THERE -- >> Michael: CAN OF WORMS. >> Chris: OKAY. BAG OF WORMS? >> Darrell: A NEW EMPHASIS TODAY. EVERYBODY WILL KNOW WHERE THE START BOX IS. >> Chris: OKAY. >> Darrell: A LOT OF MY FRIENDS DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD A START BOX. WE SAW IT ON THE REPLAY. EVERYBODY IS GOING TO KNOW WHERE THE LINE ON WALL IS. THEY WILL BE WATCHING THAT TODAY. >> Chris: THEY WILL TELL THE DRIVERS EVERY WEEK ABOUT THAT. REMIND THEM. >> Michael: WE KNOW WHERE IT IS. CARL LEFT EARLY. BOTTOM LINE. >> Darrell: NO NO,, NO. >> Chris: NO -- >> Darrell: TONY LEFT LATE. >> Chris: MORE GAS 'N' GO ON THIS TOPIC. LET'S GET TO WEEKEND WE HAD SO FAR. >> Michael: I DON'T LIKE TO ARGUE. >> Chris: BROTHERS, PLEASE. >> WE HAD EXCITEMENT. SATURDAY LATE IN THE RACE, WATCH IN THIS WRECK. HE IS IN THE 14. >> Michael: I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS HERE. HE COMES FLYING IN THE WALL. I LOOK LIKE HE NEVER LIFTED OFF THE GAS. >> Darrell: HE AND THE 15 CAR WERE TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE WRECK. >> Chris: HE IS OKAY. ALERT, AWAKE. INJURE TROY HIS RIGHT SIDE AFTER GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. JOEY LOGANO WON THE RACE, DANICA PATRICK IN THE COOLDOWN BUMPS INTO SOMETHING AND THEY WILL ADDRESS THAT WITH HER. ARCA RACE, LARRY McREYNOLDS, ALABAMA'S OWN WATCHING HIS 21-YEAR-OLD SON BRANDON. HIS FIRST TRY AND HE IS IN VICTORY LANE IN THE 7th ARCA TRY. PROUD OF LARRY AND BRANDON. LIKE WE HAD SOMEONE RACING AND WINNING FOR US. >> Michael: THAT IS WHY I AM WEARING THE HAT, LARRY. THIS IS FOR YOU. BRANDON WAS SO CLOSE AT DAYTONA. >> Darrell: PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO LIKE THAT. >> Michael: IT'S FOR LARRY. >> Darrell: I'M MORE IT'S FOR BRANDON. BRANDON ALMOST WON DAYTONA AS WE SAID. I WAS SITTING IN THE MOTOR COACH AND WE WERE GETTING READY TO GO TO VICTORY CIRCLE AT DAYTONA, RAN OUT OF GAS OFF TURN FOUR. HEARTBREAKER. IT DIDN'T KNOW IF THE KID WOULD GET OVER IT OR NOT. REDEEMED HIMSELF. THIS IS A SMART KID. HE'S ARTICULATE. A GOOD RACECAR DRIVER. HE NEEDS TO GET -- SOMEBODY NEEDS TO HIRE HIM. >> Michael: HE PLAYED THE LAST LAP -- >> Darrell: SOMEBODY NEEDS TO HIRE HIM. >> Michael: HE PLAYED THE LAST LAP TO PERFECTION. DOWN IN TURN THREE AND FOUR. RUNNING SECOND. BACKED OFF THE GAS. BACKED UP TO THE CAR BEHIND HIM. THE GUY GOT AHOLD OF HIM AND PUSHED HIM TO THE WIND. HOW SMART, HOW CALCULATING YOU HAVE TO BE TO LET OFF GAS, COMING TO THE CHECKER. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT BRANDON McREYNOLDS DID AND GOT HIM THE WIN. >> Chris: IT'S ALMOST UNFAIR IF YOUR FATHER IS FORMER CREW CHIEF. INSIDE INFORMATION. >> Darrell: BUT ON THE RADIO BRANDON WAS SAYING TELL THE GUY BEHIND ME, HERE IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, HERE IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO WIN THIS RACE. LARRY AND I BOTH WERE IN TEARS. WE COULDN'T BELIEVE HE WON THE RACE. HAPPEN PIP FOR LARRY, BRANDON -- HAPPY FOR LARRY, BRANDON, LINDA. >> Chris: YOU CAN'T RACE WITH THAT HAT. SWITCH TO THE HELMET. THE TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY HAS 3,000 ACRES, COMMUNITY TO ITSELF. MINGLING AMONG THE FANS AND DRIVER, TEAM OF PIT REPORTERS, STEVE BYRNES, MATT YOCUM, KRISTA VODA, DICK BERGGREN, JEFF HAMMOND. >> Krista: EARLIER IN WEEK HE SAID WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT. TEAM 24 HAS DONE SOMETHING RIGHT FOR THE RACE. I'LL TALK TO JEFF GORDON. >> Dick: CARL EDWARDS HAS A FAST CAR FOR THE RACE. ASK HIM IF IT'S FAST ENOUGH TO GO TO VICTORY LANE. >> TONY STEWART AND HIS TEAM DISAPPOINTED ABOUT A WIN THAT SLIPPED THROUGH THEIR FINGERS SATURDAY AT RICHMOND. CAN THEY BOUNCE BACK TODAY? I'LL ASK TONY COMING UP. >> ALL IS WELL IN CANDY LANE FOR KYLE BUSCH. I'LL TALK TO THE 2008 TALLADEGA WINNER ABOUT THE LAST-LAP STRATEGY THAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU. JEFF HAMMOND? >> Jeff: THE THING ABOUT TALLADEGA, IT'S BIG, IT'S FAST. A LOT OF PEOPLE TRY TO ARGUE ABOUT WHETHER THEY CAME HERE FOR THE RACE OR FOR THE PARTY. WE'LL SHOW YOU BOTH! >> Chris: THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO? >> Darrell: PACK RACING. EVERYBODY GETS CLUSTERED UP. WHEN THEY GET CLUSTERED UP, AS YOU SEE, BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN. >> Michael: WHO YOU ARE WITH IN THE END. STAY IN THE BACK ALL DAY LONG. CAN YOU RACE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT AT THE END SO YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO PUSH SOME GUY TO THE CHECKERED FLAG AND PASS HIM AT THE LAST SECOND? IT'S ALL ABOUT POSITIONING. >> Darrell: LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH. >> Chris: YOU WILL BE OUT THERE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO COMMUNICATING WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE RACE. HERE IS WHAT IS AROUND THE TURN. AT THE TRACK, AS WE TOUCHED ON, KNOWN FOR THE BIG ONE. AND LOOK DANGER STRAIGHT IN THE FACE. FIND OUT WHY IT'S TREACHEROUS HERE. IT'S JEFF HAMMOND, AS HE MENTIONED, HE WILL TAKE US AROUND THE TRACK AND TALK ABOUT SWEET HOME, ALABAMA. WHY PEOPLE ENJOY NOT ONLY THE RACING, BUT THE FOOD AND OTHER THINGS. MICHAEL HANGS WITH DALE EARNHARDT JR. WE'LL TALK WITH JIMMIE JOHNSON. AND GAS 'N' GO. WE'LL TELL YOU WHO LOOKS GOOD AND WHO DOESN'T >>> NASCAR ON FOX PRE-RACE SHOW. SPONSORED BY -- AARON'S. CREDIT IS HARD. AARON'S IS EASY. >> Announcer: SWEET MAMALAMA, WE'RE BACK IN ALABAMA. TONY STEWART STARTED THE SEASON HOT AFTER TWO EARLY WEEKS BUT SMOKE LET VICTORY SLIP FROM HIS GRASP LAST WEEK. INSTEAD, ROWDY BUSCH OUTLASTED JUNIOR FOR ANOTHER WIN. MAKING HIS CASE FOR A CHANCE AT THE CHASE. BUT BIFFLE HOLDS THE POINT LEAD. AND HARVICK IS SEARCHING FOR HIS MOJO. NOW WE GO WHERE LAST YEAR IT WAS AS CLOSE AS IT COULD GET. WHEN THE CHECKERED FLEW, IT WAS OLD FRIEND FIVE-TIME WHO MADE HIS WAY TO VICTORY LANE. OH, YEAH! ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Chris: HOPING FOR ANOTHER CLOSE FINISH TODAY. EARLIER RAIN, AS THEY DRY THE TRACK OUT HERE, AT THE TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY. WE WELCOME YOU BACK TO THE AARON'S 499 PRE-RACE SHOW. JIMMIE JOHNSON KNOWN AS "FIVE-TIME" FOR HIS CHAMPIONSHIPS AND ALSO TWO-TIME TALLADEGA WINNER. GROWING UP, JIMMIE, CONSIDERED A CLASS CLOWN. BEHIND THE WHEEL, ALL BUSINESS. THROUGH TEARS, BUSINESS HAS BEEN VERY GOOD. >> JIMMIE JOHNSON IS THE FASTEST CAR ON THE RACETRACK. >> MR. FIVE-TIME GIVING A WAKE-UP CALL. >> JIMMIE JOHNSON MOVING FORWARD, THE 48. >> IF I WAS WORRIED ABOUT ANYBODY, IT WOULD BE THE 48 CAR. >> JIMMIE JOHNSON DOES NOT GIVE UP. >> Chris: THE DRIVER OF THE 48 LOWE'S CHEVROLET, STOPPING BY OUR HOLLYWOOD HOTEL. NICE TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU FOR DROPPING BY. >> GREAT TO BE HERE. >> Chris: STRATEGY ALREADY. YOU WANT TO BE UP FRONT. YOU WANT TO WIN THE RACE. YOU WANT TO HANG AROUND THE BACK OF THE PACK ONCE YOU GET ROLLING? WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? >> WITH PACK RACING, BEING NEAR THE FRONT IS REALLY IMPORTANT. THERE IS NO TELLING WHAT THE RIGHT SITUATION IS GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE THE WHITE FLAG AND THE CLOSING LAP COMING AROUND. LAST YEAR'S SPRING RACE BEING THE LEADER WAS GOOD. AS WE SAW YESTERDAY IN THE NATIONWIDE RACE, BEING THE GUY PUSHING WAS GOOD. SO, ALL WE REALLY ASK FOR IS DRIVERS, MICHAEL AND DARRELL KNOW, YOU JUST WANT TO BE THERE WHEN THE WHITE FLAG LAP STARTS AND JUST HAVE A SHOT. A LOT OF DECISIONS ARE MADE FROM THAT START/FINISH BACK AROUND. HOPEFULLY THE DECISION THAT TAKE PLACE LEADING YOUR WAY AND IN YOUR FAVOR AND YOU WIN. >> Michael: DONE YOU THINK IT'S GREAT YOU ARE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO CHOREOGRAPH WHO THE PERSON WILL BE AND SOMEBODY HOPEFULLY GETS AHOLD OF THE BACK OF YOU? >> I FOUND THE DAYTONA 500 I WON, I DIDN'T MAKE ANY AGGRESSIVE MOVES. THE DECISIONS I LEFT BEHIND ME WERE SIMPLE, EASY DECISIONS TO MAKE. YES, THAT IS A GREAT CALCULATED MOVE, I'LL FOLLOW HIM. IT LED TO A VICTORY. THERE IS SOMETHING TO THAT. I WATCHED JEFF GORDON AND OTHER GUYS MAKE RISKY MOVES AND GO TO OUTSIDE, THIRD LANE OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE GET A GOOD SHOVE AND GET AROUND. YOU HAVE NO IDEA. THAT IS WHAT MAKES THE RACE SO EXCITING. >> Darrell: NOT TOO LONG AGO, FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO MAYBE, I REMEMBER YOU SAYING, "I DON'T THINK I'M A GOOD RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACER." THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A LIGHT WENT ON AND YOU PICKED IT UP. NOW YOU SEEM TO BE ONE OF THE BEST. RIGHT HERE, MICHAEL SAID YOU COULDN'T ORCHESTRATE A WHOLE LOT. IT'S NICE TO HAVE A TEAMMATE THAT WILL WORK WITH YOU TO GET YOU IN THAT POSITION RIGHT THERE. WHEN DID YOU FIGURE IT ALL OUT? WHAT HAPPENED THAT YOU SAID OH, WOW, THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT? >> REALLY, THROUGH MAKING A LOT OF MISTAKES. IF YOU GO BACK EARLY IN MY CAREER, STARTED WRECKS AND GUYS THAT SAT WITH ME. YOU REALLY JUST LEARN THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR. IT'S SO TOUGH TO COME IN TO PLATE RACING AND BE GOOD AT IT RIGHT AWAY, BECAUSE IT'S JUST A DIFFERENT ANIMAL. AS YOU KNOW, WE SPEND ALL THE TIME ON OTHER RACETRACKS LOOKING OUT THE WINDSHIELD AND FOCUSED ON GOING FASTER. WHEN YOU COME TO A PLATE TRACK, IT'S ALL IN THE MIRROR AND WHAT GOES ON AROUND YOU, INSTEAD OF WHAT YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN. IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO SORT THAT OUT. >> Michael: TALKING ABOUT WRECKS, WE SPEND ALL WINTER WAITING FOR THE DAYTONA 500. ALL WINTER AND A DAY THIS YEAR WAITING FOR THE DAYTONA 500. ON LAP TWO, YOU GET TURNED AROUND AND CRASHED. CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW DISAPPOINTING, HOW SAD THAT WAS? >> IT WAS A BUMMER. I KNOW ELLIOTT FELT TERRIBLE FOR IT. ONE OF THE EARLIER MISTAKES I MADE IN MY CUP CAREER I TURNED ELLIOTT HERE GOING IN TURN ONE AND CREATED A BIG WRECK. WHEN IT HAPPENED, I KNEW IT WASN'T INTENTIONAL. YEAH, IT WASN'T ANY FUN AND NOT THE WAY YOU WANT TO START THE SEASON IN THE DAYTONA 500. WHEN YOU'RE IN THE SPORT LONG ENOUGH, SOMETIMES YOU CREATE PROBLEMS. OTHER TIMES YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM. IT'S JUST RACING. >> Darrell: HOW DO YOU GUYS -- Y'ALL AMAZE ME! ACCIDENTS HAPPEN ON THE TRACK. WE'LL CALL THEM "ACCIDENTS," OKAY? YOU ALWAYS GET OUT, JUST LIKE YOU SAID ABOUT ELLIOTT, I KNOW HE DIDN'T MEAN TO DO THAT. HOW DO YOU PUT -- BACK IN THE DAY, WE'D BE FIGHTING. WE'D BE UP IN THE GUY'S FACE, "YOU TOOK ME OUT OF THE DAYTONA 500, YOU JERK!" HOW DO YOU BALANCE IT OUT TODAY? >> A LOT OF IT IS EXPERIENCE. AGAIN, OVER THE YEARS, SOMETIMES YOU'RE THE ONE DISHING OUT, OTHER TIMES YOU'RE THE ONE RECEIVING IT. I THINK THAT HELPS CALM THINGS DOWN A LOT. I THINK BACK YEARS AGO, IN YOUR ERA, OF COURSE. >> Chris: "YEARS AGO." >> Michael: GOOD YEARS, TOO! >> YOU HAD A LOT MORE ANGER IN A TORN-UP RACECAR THAN WE DO TODAY. YOU'RE LIKE "HEY, I HUNG THAT BUMPER ON THAT RACECAR!" IT'S A DIFFERENT WORLD TODAY. >> Chris: WE MAKE A LOT OF THE FIVE-TIME CHAMPIONSHIP. DO DRIVERS TREAT YOU DIFFERENTLY AS THE CHAMPIONSHIPS PILED UP? >> Darrell: I DO. >> Michael: I RESPECT WHAT YOU'VE DONE. IT'S AWESOME. >> Chris: BUT ALSO A TARGET, OBVIOUSLY. >> Darrell: BUT LET ME SAY THIS, I KNOW FIVE CHAMPIONSHIPS, MOST INFLUENTIAL ATHLETE IN AMERICA. NOT IN MOTORSPORTS. IN AMERICA. THAT'S BIG, MAN! HUGE HONOR. >> HUGE MON NOWHERE. OBVIOUSLY, TRULY IMPACTFUL FOR MYSELF. GREAT FOR ME. ALSO FOR OUR SPORT. I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR THE FRANCE FAMILY AND ATHLETES TO BE MENTIONED IN THE LIGHT AND RECEIVE HONORS. IT'S GREAT. >> Chris: LAST YEAR, YOUR FIRST WEEK CAME IN THE TALLADEGA, THAT RACE. LOOKING FOR THE FIRST WIN. YOU HAVE OVERCOME A LOT ALREADY. WHERE ARE YOU WITH POSITIONING AND THE TENTH RACE OF THE SEASON FOR YOUR TEAM? >> Darrell: WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE. IN CONTENTION TO WIN RACES. WE LET A FEW SLIP THROUGH OUR FINGERS. IF WE TAKE OUT THE DAYTONA 500 FINISH AND LOOK AT THE RACE FOLLOWING THAT, WE'VE GOT TO BE ONE OF THE TOP RUNNING POINTS CARS OUT THERE. PROUD OF WHERE WE'RE AT. STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT TO BUTTON UP. VERY PROUD OF THE LOWE'S TEAM. WE'RE MATURING AS A TEAM. WE MADE DECISIONS A FEW YEARS BACK, GET YOUNG GUYS OVER THE WALL AND A DIFFERENT APPROACH THE WAY WE TREAT THE CAR. PAYING OFF. GREAT RACE TEAM. LOOKING FORWARD TO TODAY'S RACE. >> Darrell: WHAT IS THE CHEMISTRY LIKE MOST YOUR FOUR DRIVERS RIGHT NOW? THERE WAS A TIME WHEN YOU AND JEFF GORDON SEEMED TO RUB EACH OTHER THE WRONG WAY, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YOU GOT PAST THAT. WHAT IS THE CHEMISTRY LIKE NOW WITH THE TEAMMATES? >> NO, IT'S REALLY GOOD. JEFF AND I HAD A FEW RUBS ALONG THE WAY. YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT IN ANY -- >> Chris: THAT WAS HIS LIFE. >> Darrell: TICKING ME OFF. >> NOTHING TO SAY IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. WE DONE WANT IT TO. WE ALL WANT TO WIN RACES AND CHAMPIONSHIPS. THAT STUFF COMES AROUND. I CAN SAY THE DYNAMIC IN THE 48/88 SHOP HAS GROWN TO NEW LEVELS. THE CHEMISTRY BETWEEN STEVE LETARTE AND JUNIOR AND WHAT HAPPENS ON THE 88 TEAM HAS BEEN VERY GOOD. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO TEAMS, EVEN JUNIOR AND MY RELATIONSHIP IS TO A NEW LEVEL. WE'RE PROUD OF WHAT GOES ON IN THE SHOP. CLEARLY, WITH KASEY AND JEFF, VERY HAPPY FOR THE SPEED THEY'VE HAD. I KNOW BOTH HAVE HAD A LOT OF BAD LUCK AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL TURN AROUND FOR THEM. >> Chris: JUNIOR PUSHED YOU ACROSS, REMEMBER. IF THE CHANCE TO REVERSE, WOULD YOU PUSH HIM ACROSS? >> Darrell: I ASKED WOULD THERE BE A PAYBACK? A GOOD KIND OF PAYBACK? >> UM, IF -- [ LAUGHTER ] >> Chris: HESITATES. YOU HAVE WANT TO WIN. I DON'T BLAME YOU. >> IF THERE WEREN'T CARS NEXT TO US, JUNIOR WOULD HAVE WON THAT RACE. JUNIOR WOULD HAVE PULLED OUT AND GONE BY. IF THE SAME SITUATION DEVELOPS, ABSOLUTELY I'LL PUSH THAT 88 TO THE WIN. IF IT'S NOT HIM, IF IT'S THE 5 OR THE 24, I DO THE SAME. >> Michael: INTERESTING APPROACH TO YOUR TEAM, CHAD KNAUS A CREW CHIEF, PUT YOUOUT THERE BY YOURSELF. YOU HAVE DIDN'T DRAFTED ANY. HOW DO YOU PREPARE WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN BY YOURSELF? >> WE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE ANY RISKS, OR PUT EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE ENGINE. JUNIOR HAD A FLAT TIRE IN PRACTICE AND ALMOST KNOCKED DOWN A FENCE. WE JUST WANT TO GO OUT AND MAKE SURE THERE WEREN'T LEAKS OR ISSUES WITH THE CAR. SINCE THE RULES PACKAGE HASN'T CHANGED WHY TAKE A CHANCE? >> Darrell: JUNIOR SAID IN AN INTERVIEW HE WAS THE BEST DRIVER AT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS. >> I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT. [ LAUGHTER ] HONESTLY, I MEAN THAT. EVERY DRIVER CLIMBING IN THAT RACECAR THINKING THAT WAY. >> Darrell: THE DRIVERS HAVE TO BE -- >> Chris: ONLY ONE CAN SAY HE WON CHAMPIONSHIPS, FIVE CONSECUTIVE. >> I DIDN'T TWIN LAST ONE. >> Chris: WE TALK ABOUT THE DANGER AT THE TRACK AND HOW INTIMIDATING IT CAN BE, YOUR FAMILY AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF. IT'S A RISK-REWARD, YOUR BUSINESS HERE, BUT DOES IT CONCERN YOU AT A PLACE LIKE TALLADEGA? >> YEAH, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT PLATE RACES KIND OF SIT DIFFERENTLY IN THE MOTOR HOME AS YOU ARE WAKING UP AND HEAD ON OUT TO GO TO WORK. THEN WE LOOK AT YESTERDAY'S CRASH AND FORTUNATELY, ARIC IS DOING WELL. >> DOING WELL. >> THAT WAKES US ALL UP. WE ALL SIT THERE AND JUST WATCH. YOU KIND OF LOOK AROUND AN YOUR FAMILY, SEE HOW THEY RESPOND. HOPE THAT THE OUTCOME IS GREAT. CERTAINLY IS LOOKING THAT WAY FOR ERIC. >> Darrell: IS IT THE SPEED? WHAT MAKES TALLADEGA WHAT TALLADEGA IS? IS IT THE SPEED? IS IT THE CLOSENESS? WHAT MAKES TALLADEGA WHAT IT IS? >> YEAH, I REALLY THINK IT'S THE CLOSENESS. HOW CLOSE WE ARE TO OTHER CARS. THE CONTACT TAKES PLACE ON THE STRAIGHTAWAYS, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE AT TOP SPEED. CAN GET CARS UPSIDE DOWN AND THAT STUFF. WE SAW YESTERDAY WE CAN CRASH ANYWHERE AND 100 YARDS FURTHER DOWN THE RACETRACK, THAT OPENING IN THE ARM COULD HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM. I KNOW THINGS WILL BE LOOKED AT THERE. >> Chris: GOOD LUCK TODAY. THANK YOU FOR COMING IN. YOU HANDLED THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND EVEN LAST YEAR WHEN YOU DIDN'T WIN, YOU HANDLED IT WELL. WE DIDN'T MENTION HENDRICK GOING AFTER 200. >> Darrell: WE WEREN'T GOING TO! [ LAUGHTER ] >> Chris: MY MISTAKE. THANK YOU, JIMMIE. >> THANK YOU. >> Chris: GOOD LUCK OUT THERE. WE'LL CONTINUE OUR HOUR-LONG EXPANDED AARON'S 499 PRE-RACE SHOW. WE TALKED ABOUT TALLADEGA. DARRELL WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT WHY IT'S SO TREACHEROUS AND HISTORICALLY THE PICTURES THAT WILL MAKE YOU SHAKE IN YOUR CHAIR OR IN FRONT OF YOUR TV SET. YOU'RE WATCHING NASCAR ON FOX. WE'RE LIVE IN TALLADEGA JUST A GAME. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Chris: WE'RE GOING TO GO 500 MILES, 188 LAPS, AROUND THE TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY. GLAD YOU'RE WITH US, BACK IN THE HOLLYWOOD HOTEL. THE RECORD FOR MOST CARS CAUGHT UP IN A WRECK AT TALLADEGA, 27. THAT'S AMAZING WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE NUMBER IN A FIELD OF 43 STARTING OUT. NO MATTER HOW TALENTED OR EXPERIENCED A DRIVER YOU ARE, AS DARRELL EXPLAINS, WHEN A PLACE IS THIS BIG, MORE ROOM LEAVES MORE ROOM FOR TROUBLE. >> Darrell: FOLKS, HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO TALLADEGA? TAKE IT FROM ME. THIS JOINT IS BIG! 43 CARS GET TO MOVING AROUND THIS PLACE, 200 MILES PER HOUR, YOU CAN COUNT ON ONE THING. >> UH-OH. >> TROUBLE! >> ELLIOTT OVER ONCE-AND-A-HALF AN ON HIS ROOF. >> TROUBLE! >> IN TURN THREE. >> Darrell: OR AS WE LIKE TO CALL THEM -- THE BIG ONE! ♪♪ >> TROUBLE. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Darrell: DANGER LURKS AROUND EVERY CORNER. >> LET ME TELL YOU, WHITE-KNUCKLE EXPERIENCE. >> IT'S AN INTENSE GAME. SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN. >> Darrell: IT'S BEEN GOING ON A LONG TIME. OLD TURN ONE HAS SEEN ITS FIRST SHARE OF WRECKAGE. >> THERE IS ONE CAR THAT HAS GONE OVER THE WALL. >> A BAD CRASH HERE AT TALLADEGA. >> Darrell: GETTING TO THE FINISH LINE, WELL, THAT CAN BE A BIT OF A BUMPY RIDE. >> AND WILDLY AT THE START/FINISH LINE. >> Darrell: 'DEGA IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. >> THERE ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE THAT ARE WIRED FOR IT. OTHERS AREN'T. >> I HAD GUYS GO OVER MY HOOD. UPSIDE DOWN. >> Darrell: TAKE BOBBY ALLISON AND COUSIN CARL. >> WE HAVE A PROBLEM. >> BOBBY ALLISON WITH A HORRIBLE CRASH. >> OH, NO! >> HE TURNS HIM. >> EDWARDS WILL NOT MAKE IT TO THE FLAG. >> Darrell: TWO IDENTICAL CRASHES ALMOST 20 YEARS APART. I'M NOT SURE WHERE CARL IS GOING. MAYBE HE THINKS IF HE RUNS ACROSS THE START/FINISH LINE IT WILL COUNT. >> SHADES OF RICKY BOBBY. >> Darrell: BUT BOBBY ALLISON HAD NO IDEA WHO RICKY BOBBY WAS. >> THERE IS NO SAFE PLACE TO BE. >> THE ELEMENT OF DANGER IS THERE. >> PART OF THE BUSINESS. >> IT'S ALWAYS A WILD TIME WHEN YOU COME TO TALLADEGA. MAN, I BETTER GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE THESE GUYS GET GOING! ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Darrell: YOU KNOW, CHRIS, ALWAYS A SUCCESSFUL DAY AT TALLADEGA WAS IF YOU COULD DRIVE YOUR CAR BACK TO THE GARAGE. AND LOAD IT IN THE TRUCK. THAT WAS A SUCCESSFUL DAY AT TALLADEGA. TWO WAYS TO RACE HERE. YOU CAN BE BOLD AND GET UP THERE AND MIX IT UP OR YOU CAN BE A BUZZARD AND JUST FLY AROUND AND WAIT FOR EVERYBODY TO WRECK AND PICK UP THE PIECES. >> Chris: WHICH ARE YOU GOING TO DO? JIMMIE JOHNSON WHEN HE STEPPED OUT SAID HEY, I'LL SEE YOU OUT THERE. THE ANTICIPATION, SOMEONE IN THIS, MUST BE RATTLING. >> Michael: I DON'T WANT TO BE NO BUZZARD, THOUGH. I KIND OF WANT TO GET IN THERE AND MIX IT UP. I'LL START IN THE TOP TEN AND I LIKE TO THINK I CAN STAY THERE. FIGURE OUT WHO MY CAR WORKS WELL WITH. SEE HOW THE PACK RACING WILL WORK OUT. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TEMPERATURES OF THEIR ENGINES. WARM DAY IN ALABAMA TODAY. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS UP 30-DEGREES OVER WHAT WE RACED IN DAYTONA WITH THE SAME RULES. CAN YOU KEEP YOUR MOTOR COOL? >> Chris: IT'S COOLER WITH THE RAIN. >> Michael: HEAT UP. >> Chris: WARM UP THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON. YOU SAID THE FORDS HANDLE IT WELL. >> Michael: THE FORDS HAVE A BIT OF AN ADVANTAGE. WE SEE THEY ARE FAST. JEFF GORDON GOT THE POLE. FORDS NEAR THE FRONT OF THE FIELD AND THEY WERE GOOD AT DAYTONA. ANYTIME YOUR ENGINE WILL RUN COOLER IT RUNS WITH MORE POWER. WE'LL HAVE TO WATCH AND SEE IF AT LIKE DAYTONA AT THE END, THERE ARE FORDS FIGHTING FOR WIN. >> Darrell: SOMETHING THAT NO ONE TALKED A LOT ABOUT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT AEEO PACKAGE AT TALLADEGA THAN LAST YEAR. SAME THING AT DAYTONA, WE HAVE A SMALLER REAR BLADE ON THE CAR. THAT MAKES THESE CARS MOVE AROUND A WHOLE LOT MORE WHEN SOMEBODY IS PUSHING YOU. PARTICULARLY, PUSHING YOU OFF IN THE CORNER. SO THAT IS GOING TO CREATE SOME UNEXPECTED THINGS I THINK AS WELL. >> Chris: YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE CAR MUCH. WHAT HAVE DRIVERS TOLD YOU ABOUT THAT? >> Michael: I FELT IT. USUALLY AT TALLADEGA, THE CAR IS GLUE AND YOU TRY TO FIND A HOLE AND PUSH YOUR WAY. NOW BACK COULD GET AWAY FROM YOU A LITTLE BIT. THE CARS ON THE EDGE OF BEING LOOSE. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYBODY SIDEWAYS YET BUT I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE WOBBLY. I'D LIKE TO REPORT, CHRIS, PROUD TO SAY NO ONE WAS INJURED SERIOUSLY IN THE FILMING OF DARRELL'S SPECIAL. >> Chris: THERE IS THE IMPRESSION HERE, A DRIVER, EVEN A GOOD DRIVER IS LESS IN HIS HANDS IN THIS RACE. IS THAT WHAT MAKES IT SO TREACHEROUS? >> Darrell: IT'S LIKE BOWLING. >> Chris: BOWLING? >> Darrell: YEAH. ALL THE CARS IN FRONT OF YOU ARE PINS AND YOU ARE THE BOWLING BALL. YOU WANT TO MAKE A STRIKE AND GET THE FRONT WITHOUT RUNNING OVER SOMEBODY TO DO IT. >> Michael: DID YOU SEE THE CARS FIGHTING FOR VICTORY? FIVE-TIME CHAMPION, JIMMIE JOHNSON, DALE EARNHARDT JR., CARL EDWARDS, GREG BIFFLE. TELL ME YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE ONE OF THE BEST TO WIN AT TALLADEGA AND I'LL CALL NOT TRUE ON THAT. >> Darrell: YOU HAVE TO BE SMART. CALCULATING. >> Chris: HOW DID YOU WIN? KIDDING. >> Michael: I WAS CALCULATING THAT DAY. I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT HAPPENED. >> Chris: NOW WE WANT YOUR SMARTS ON THE TRACK. TIME NOW FOR DOUBLE-TROUBLE. DARRELL AND MICHAEL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF THE PROBLEM AREAS ON THE TRACK, THE BIG WIDE OPEN TRACK. STAR A THE START STAR LINE. >> Darrell: BILL FRANCE WAS A VISIONARY. NORMALLY START/FINISH LINE IS IN THE MIDDLE. THE RACE WOULD BE OVER RIGHT THERE. THE RACE IS JUST STARRING HERE. WHEN YOU COME RIGHT THERE, YOU MIGHT BE LEADING THE RACE. BUT YOU HAVE A LOOOOONG WAY TO GO UNTIL YOU GE TO WHERE THE START/FINISH LINE IS. HERE WE GO. KEVIN HARVICK, IN THE BACK OF JAMIE McMURRAY. McMURRAY WOULD HAVE WON THAT RACE IF THE LINE WAS WHERE IT NORMALLY IS IN ANY OTHER RACETRACK. LOOK WHAT HAPPENED. >> Michael: PEOPLE SAY WHY DIDN'T McMURRAY STAY LOW? HE COULD HAVE WON IF HE STAYED LOW. THAT IS NOT RIGHT. THEY WOULD HAVE GONE HIGH. >> Darrell: THERE IS AIR AND I TAKES YOU PLACES YOU DON'T WANT TO GO. THE START/FINISH LINE MADE THIS PLACE UNPREDICTABLE. >> Chris: WHAT ABOUT THE OUT-OF-BOUNDS YELLOW LINE HERE? >> Michael: THAT IS A KEY TO MAKING IT ALL DAY HERE AT TALLADEGA. YOU HAVE CAN'T BLOCK SOMEONE BELOW THAT LINE. IF YOU DO, NASCAR WILL BLACK FLAG YOU. YOU CAN'T GO BEYOND THE YELLOW LINE TO WIN. EXAMPLE, REGAN SMITH INSIDE OF TONY STEWART. IF HE SAYS ON THE ROPE, TONY CRASHES BUT HE CHOOSES TO GO UNDER THE YELLOW LINE. PASSES TONY STEWART AND WINS THE RACE, RIGHT? WRONG! HE GOT BLACK FLAGGED FOR GOING UNDER THE YELLOW LINE. THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCE THAT BRAD KESELOWSKI AND CARL EDWARDS FACED. BRAD SAY SORRY, I'M STAYING ON THE TRACK AND YOU'RE GOING TO GO FOR A RIDE. >> Darrell: I DON'T LIKE THAT. >> Michael: YOU GOT TO HAVE RULES. RACECAR DRIVERS DON'T LIKE RULES. >> Chris: AWFULLY RELAXED FOR A GUY RACING. WE HAD RAIN EARLIER AND THEY'RE DRYING THE TRACK. CHECK IN WITH THE RACE DIRECTOR DAVID HOOPS. THIS IS WHAT HE TOLD THE DRIVERS. WE'RE RELAYING THIS FOR YOU AT FROM THE DRIVERS' MEETING MOMENTS AGO. >> YOU CAN GO BEYOND THE YELLOW LINE IF YOU'RE NOT ADVANCING. IN SOME CASES YOU CAN GO DOWN THERE AND GAVE UP A SPOT. YOU CAN GO DOWN THERE BUT YOU CAN'T ADVANCE YOUR POSITION. >> Chris: YOU CAN'T ADVANCE. WHEN SOMEONE BLOCKS YOU LIKE WE SAW AND YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE. >> Michael: IF YOU ARE 30 OR 40 LAPS IN THE RACE AND SOMEONE BLOCKS YOU, YOU LET THEM BLOCK YOU. YOU GO BELOW THE YELLOW LINE, GIVE IT BACK AND SAY NO HARM, NO FOUL. WE'LL CATCH UP LATER. BUT IF ON THE LAST LAP YOU TRY TO BLOCK SOMEONE UNDER THAT LINE, THEY ARE GOING TO HOLD THEIR LINE AND THERE WILL BE A CRASH. YOU UNDERSTAND THE RULES CLEARLY. WE KNOW AS RACECAR DRIVER WHAT IS THE YELLOW LINE MEANS AND WHAT OUR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TOWARD THE YELLOW LINE. WE HAVE OPERATE IN A RESPECTFUL FASHION WHEN IT COMES TO THE LINE. >> Darrell: WE SAW HOW THE GUYS RESPECT THE YELLOW LINE. WE SAW THE FOUR-WIDE FINISH LAST YEAR. ON THE LAST LAP COMING TO THE CHECKERED FLAG, ALL BETS ARE OFF. GO WHEREVER YOU WANT TO. HAVE AT IT. >> Chris: WE HAVE SEEN THEM HAVE AT IT. >> Darrell: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT? >> Michael: I LIKE THAT BUT WHEN DO YOU START SAYING THAT? >> Darrell: THE WHITE FLAG. WHEN THE WHITE FLAG IS IN THE AIR, HERE WE GO. >> Michael: CROSS THE START/FINISH LINE WITH ONE TO GO, NO MORE YELLOW LINE? THAT WOULD BE FUN. >> Chris: DRIVER'S MEETING, IS IT OKAY YOU'RE NOT IN THE DRIVER'S MEETING? >> Michael: I WAS AT THE DRIVER'S MEETING. THAT WAS TAPED. I LISTENED TO IT INTENTLY. >> Darrell: DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING? >> Michael: WE'LL PROBABLY BE IN A BIT OF A DELAY TODAY. >> Chris: BUT WE'LL RACE SOON. >> Michael: VERY SOON. THAT IS WHY MY INTENSITY IS GOING UP A LITTLE BIT. >> Chris: ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE NASCAR OFFICIALS IN THE MEETING? >> Michael: NO. JUST ENJOYING THE EXPERIENCE. I DON'T GET TO RACE OFTEN. I SAT BESIDE MARTIN TRUEX AND WE TALKED STRATEGY. JIMMIE JOHNSON SAYS I'LL SEE YOU IN A MINUTE. HONOR TO BE THERE. >> Chris: IN THE AARON'S 55 CAR AS THEY CLEAN THE TRACK. WE WATCH THE INTERVIEW WITH DALE EARNHARDT JR. THE CLEAN-SHAVE >> Chris: WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE WITH US ON THE AARON'S 499 PRE-RACE SHOW FROM TALLADEGA, ALABAMA. JUST OFF THE I-20, BETWEEN BIRMINGHAM AND ATLANTA. IT RAINED EARLIER. THEY'RE CLEARING THE TRACK. WE'LL BE RACING HERE SHORTLY. SOME OF THE COOL PAINT SCHEMES. CLINT BOWYER'S 15 CAR, UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA CHAMPIONSHIP PAINT SCHEME. AARON'S SPONSOR OF THE CAR IN THE RACE. THIS PRE-RACE SHOW. THEY SPONSORED ALABAMA AND AUBURN CAR. MICHAEL'S 55 PAINT SCHEME. WENT TO A CONTEST WHERE A CHILD GETS TO CREATE THE COLOR FOR THE AARON'S DREAM MACHINE. KURT BUSCH, 51, HAS A SCHEME ON THE "TALLADEGA NIGHTS" MOVIE. >> SHAKE AND BAKE. >> DID THAT JUST HAPPEN? >> IT DID. SHAKE AND BAKE. >> Chris: THAT WAS FUN WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PAINT SCHEMES. PEOPLE IDENTIFY WITH THEM. VERY DIFFERENT SCHEMES FOR DIFFERENT RACES. >> Darrell: HIS BROTHER IS KNOWN AS "ROWDY." THE TWO ARE BIG "TALLADEGA NIGHT" FANS AND THE 51 CAR HAS WON HERE. >> Chris: YOU QUOTE THE MOVIE OFTEN. >> Michael: I LOVE IT. AARON'S SPONSORING THE RACE AND THE TV SHOW. THEY PUT A SPECIAL PAINT SCHEME ON THE CAR. ALABAMA CAR IS COOL. LARRY MAC LIKES THAT ONE. MY CAR IS DESIGNED BY A 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO ENTERED A CONTEST TO SEE WHO COULD DRAW THE CAR AND THE WINNER GOT TO COME TO TALLADEGA. SO I MET HER THIS MORNING. FUN. >> Darrell: I'M COMING AFTER YOU RICKY BOBBY. >> Chris: TALLADEGA, MIX OF FACT AND FANTASY, MYTH AND LEGEND. TO DEBATE WHAT MAKES THE PLACE SPECIAL, OUR OWN JEFF HAMMOND JOINED BY THIS GUY PIZZI FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF FARMER'S REPORT. GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ARGUING. >> $30. >> HOW ABOUT THE BLACK? >> PIZZI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE MAN? I THOUGHT WE GOT RID OF YOU LAST YEAR. >> ARE YOU KIDDING? THEY LOVE ME HERE! IN THE TALLADEGA INFIELD AND WE HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST. KYLE AND KURT BUSCH. LET'S EAT! >> THEY HAVE MY FAVORITE FOOD GROUP. FRIES. >> WHAT IS YOUR NAME? >> GREG. >> YOUR NAME? >> BOBBY. >> DID THAT JUST HAPPEN? >> THEY LOVE ME. I TELL YOU WHAT I NEED TO DO. I NEED TO GIVE YOU A LESSON ON WHY THE RACING IS GREAT AT TALLADEGA. >> IT'S GREAT HERE AT TALLADEGA BECAUSE OF THE INFIELD. THE PARTYING. THE FANS! >> HEY, COURSES DON'T HAVE BRAKES. THIRDLY, THE PARTY IS ON THE TRACK, MAN. LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT IS GREAT ABOUT TALLADEGA. >> I GOT TO GET A -- >> LOOK, I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOUR SHIRT. TALLADEGA. IT'S BIG. IT'S FAST. IT HAPPENS ON THE TRACK. >> NO, NO, NO. YOU GOT IT ALL WRONG. THE PARTY'S RIGHT HERE WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE INFIELD. TALLADEGA BOULEVARD! >> GOING TO GET A NEW SHIRT. >> BEAT IT. >> IT'S ABOUT BUMP-DRAFTING. IT'S ABOUT STAYING ABOVE THE YELLOW LINE, MAN. YOU GOT TO PLAY BY THE RULES. >> WAIT A SECOND. JEFF, IN THE INFIELD YOU GET THIS KIND OF DRAFT AND THIS KIND OF YELLOW LINE. YOU WANT SOME? >> NO. >> I'LL BE HERE. >> PIZZI, AT TALLADEGA, STAY OFF THE BRAKES. IT'S ALL ABOUT SPEED HERE. YOU GOT TO UNDERSTAND, 200 MILES PER HOUR, THE CARS WILL BE RACING AT. ONLY THING SLOWING THEM DOWN IS A RESTRICTOR-PLATE. >> WHATEVER! "RESTRICTOR-PLATE"? THE ONLY PLATE I'M WORRIED ABOUT IS THIS PLATE RIGHT HERE. AIN'T NOTHING SLOWING ME DOWN. RIGHT, BOYS? >> YEAH! >> REALLY? >> A LITTLE HEARTBURN. >> YOU'RE NOT LISTENING. IT'S ABOUT PACK RACING. THREE, FOUR, FIVE WIDE. >> YOU GOT YOUR FIVE-WIDE. I GOT MY FIVE-WIDE. AND, PACK RACING. HOW ABOUT PACK SHOWERING? I GOT NEXT, GUYS! >> PIZZI, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO EDUCATE YOU. I HOPE YOU HAVE BEEN LEARNING SOMETHING. TALLADEGA IS ALL ABOUT SPEED, ACTION AND WE NEVER FORGET ABOUT THE BIG ONE. >> YOU WANT TO SEE THE BIG ONE? >> YOU WANT TO SEE THE BIG ONE? >> HERE WE GO! >> Chris: YEAH. THAT'S WHY THEY'RE DRYING THE TRACK. PIZZI, THE WATER FLEW ALL THE WAY UP AND PACK SHOWERING. >> Michael: THAT WAS DISTURBING. >> Chris: LOOK, THIS IS THE PLACE IF YOU HAVE A GUT LIKE THAT AND A SHIRT, YOU CAN WEAR IT AN YOU'RE OKAY. THE NIGHT LIFE HERE, YOU TOLD ME, IT'S FUN. >> Michael: IT IS. >> Darrell: IT'S NOT A ONE-DAY EVENT. YOU DON'T JUST DRIVE IN HERE AND GET A TICKET AND SIT IN THE GRAND STAND. THIS IS A THREE, FOUR, SOMETIMES WEEK-LONG PREPARATION. JUST TO GET READY TO WATCH THE RACE ON SUNDAY. >> Michael: IT'S FUN IN THE INFIELD. RODNEY ATKINS HAD A CONCERT. IT SAW DANICA PATRICK ON TALLADEGA BOULEVARD. PEOPLE LIKE TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING. >> Darrell: SAM HORNISH BEHIND HER. >> Chris: WHEN THE WORD "BAD" SOMETIMES IS USED IT'S A GOOD THING IN NASCAR. EARLIER IN WEEK, JEFF GORDON DESCRIBED HIS TALLADEGA CAR AS "BAD-FAST." THAT IS GOOD CONSIDERING THE FUTURE HALL-OF-FAMER FINISHED IN THE TOP TEN ONLY ONCE IN THE LAST SEVEN RACES. JEFF'S CONFIDENCE NEVER WAIVERS AS HE SHOWS WHEN HE WON THE POLE FOR TODAY'S RACE. >> HERE COMES BIG DADDY. >> GORDON GOES TO VICTORY LANE AT TALLADEGA FOR THE SIXTH TIME. >> HE HAS LED 832 LAPS AT THIS RACETRACK. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> JEFF GORDON. >> GOOD JOB! >> Krista: SO MUCH SUCCESS AT THIS TRACK. SO MUCH STRUGGLE THIS SEASON. JEFF, YOU SAID IF YOUR TEAM CAN SURVIVE THIS, YOU WILL BE BETTER AND STRONGER. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOUR TEAM AND YOURSELF THROUGH THE STRUGGLE? >> YOU FIND OUT WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF. HOW BAD YOU WANT IT. YOU KNOW, IT TESTS YOU AS A TEAM, AND AS AN INDIVIDUAL. I MEAN, I THINK THAT ONE THING THAT I'M FINDING IS JUST HOW GREAT ALAN GUSTAFSON IS, AS A CREW CHIEF AND A LEADER. HE JUST, REALLY, KEEPS US MOTIVATED AN KEEPS THINGS POSITIVE. YOU KNOW, EACH WEEK WE GET KNOCKED DOWN, YOU KNOW, HE FINDS A WAY TO KEEP US STRONG AND TOGETHER AND GO TO THE NEXT RACE. AND DO WHAT WE DID YESTERDAY, WIN A POLE. AND GET US READY FOR THE RACE ON SUNDAY. WE'RE JUST, WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP TRYING UNTIL WE GET TO VICTORY LANE AND GET OURSELVES, YOU KNOW, IN THIS CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE. >> Krista: GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE. YOU DO A LOT OF GOOD AWAY FROM THE TRACK AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A CORVETTE RAFFLE GOING ON NOW. IF YOU GO TO JEFF GORDON CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION.ORG, YOU LEARN ABOUT THAT. THE PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE CHILDREN'S PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT. >> Krista: THANK YOU, JEFF. GOOD LUCK TODAY. >> THANK YOU. >> Chris: THANKS, KRISTA AND JEFF. HE TALKS ABOUT HOW EARNHARDT WAS A ROLE MODEL FROM HIM AND HE LEARNED A LOT FROM THE LATE GREAT EARNHARDT. >> Michael: ALL OF US WHO HAD FORTUNE OF RACING WITH DALE LEARNED FROM HIM. BUT JEFF STUDIED HOW HE DID THINGS AND HE WON 12 RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACES AND THE MOST OF EVERYBODY. HE GIVES DALE GREAT TO FEEL THE AIR. YOU SEARCH FOR IT. NO ONE IS BETTER AT HIM THAN HIM TODAY. >> Darrell: WE PASS IT DOWN. JEFF LEARNED FROM DALE AND JIMMIE LEARNED FROM JEFF. I ASKED JIMMIE HOW HE GOT TO BE A BETTER RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACER HE GAVE CREDIT TO JEFF GORDON FOR WORKING WITH HIM, TELLING HIM WHAT TO WATCH FOR AND HOW TO MAKE HIS MOVES. >> Chris: RESTRICTOR-PLATE KING. SOMEONE LOOKING FOR HIS FIRST WIN AT THE RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACE, AND THAT IS CARL EDWARDS. TO WIN HERE, HE HAS TO PUT ASIDE ANY THOUGHTS OF THE NASCAR RULING THAT GOT IN HIS HEAD LAST WEEK AND IGNORE THE FACT THAT TALLADEGA IS THE SITE OF ONE OF HIS WORST FINISHES EVER. EDWARDS APPROACHED THIS RACE WELL GROUNDED BUT THAT'S NOT ALWAYS BEEN THE EXPERIENCE HERE. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> YEAH, CARL EDWARDS FROM THE BACK TO THE LEAD! >> OH, NO! >> TURNS HIM. >> NO! NO! >> CARL EDWARDS' CAR DESTROYED. SHADES OF RICKY BOBBY. >> Dick: CARL EDWARDS HAS A FAST RACECAR FOR THIS AFTERNOON'S EVENT. WON THE POLE AT THE DAYTONA 500. QUALIFIED SEVENTH FOR THIS AFTERNOON'S RACE. IS THAT CAR FAST ENOUGH TO GET YOU TO VICTORY LANE? >> HECK, YEAH, IT'S FAST ENOUGH. WE GOT A GOOD FASTENAL FUSION. THE FORDS HAVE BEEN GOOD AT THE SPEEDWAY RACES. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN THE BEST RACES. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE BROADCAST THIS MORNING AND I'M GETTING EXCITED ABOUT THIS RACE. WITH THE SPOILER CUT DOWN, THE HEAT LIKE IT IS, THE CAR IS GOING TO BE MOVING AROUND QUITE A BIT. I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A GOOD SHOT AT WINNING THE RACE. >> Dick: YOU HAVE FAST TEAMMATES AS WELL. BUT YOU NOW CAN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER ON THE RADIO. HOW COULD YOU HOOK UP WITH TWO, THREE, FOUR, OR FIVE OF THE GUYS TO HELP YOU WIN THIS AFTERNOON? >> I THINK YOU ONLY HAVE TO HOOK UP WITH THEM FOR THE LAST LAP OR SO. SO, HOPEFULLY WE'RE IN POSITION TO PARTNER UP WITH GREG BIFFLE OR MATT KENSETH. THEY HAVE BEEN SO GOOD. GREG HAS REALLY PUSHED ME TO ANY SUCCESSFUL RUNS I'VE HAD ON THE SPEEDWAY. HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET IT DONE. THE KEY IS BEING THERE AT THE END. WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. THIS IS A WILD RACE. >> Dick: IT IS GOING TO BE A WILD RACE. SO MANY CRASHES HERE AT TALLADEGA. YOU HAVE STARRED IN A COUPLE OF THEM. DOES THIS PLACE SCARE YOU? >> IT DOESN'T SCARE ME, BUT IT DEFINITELY IS A PLACE THAT YOU'VE GOT TO RESPECT. YOU HAVE TO REALIZE AT ANY POINT IN THIS RACE, AT ANY POINT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN HAVE SOMETHING HAPPEN THAT CAN TAKE YOU OUT OF THE RACE AND TAKE YOU OUT OF A SPOT IN THE CHASE. YOU KIND OF, YOU RACE, RACE, RACE, AND THEN THE LAST LAP YOU JUST GO AS HARD AS YOU CAN TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN GET. >> Dick: GOOD LUCK THIS AFTERNOON, CARL. >> Chris: THANK YOU VERY MUCH THREE. STRAIGHT TOP-FINISHES. HE SAID A COUPLE THINGS. FIRST, HE IS EXCITED ABOUT. THIS GLAD HE'S WATCHING THE SHOW. TALKED ABOUT THE TANDEM THING AT THE END. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHO WILL BE THERE WITH YOU? >> Michael: YOU WON'T KNOW BECAUSE OF THE PACK. WE'RE GOING TO RACE IN A PACK ALL DAY LONG. YOU HOPE IT SORTS OUT TO WHERE YOU HAVE A FRIENDLY FACE BEHIND YOU BUT YOU CAN'T GUARANTEE IT. >> Darrell: I WOULD WORK HARD WITH MY TEAMMATESSISM'D WANT GREG BIFFLE OR MATT KENSETH BEHIND ME AT THE END OF THE RACE. CARL, THINK ABOUT IT. HE LOST THE DAYTONA 500 TO A KID. TREVOR BAYNE. HE LOST THE RACE HERE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO TO A KID. >> Chris: BRAD KESELOWSKI. >> Darrell: BRAD KESELOWSKI. HE MIGHT WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM THE KIDS AND GO WITH THE VETERANS. >> Chris: IT'S INTERESTING, AS WELL AS THE FORDS HAVE RUN -- MATT KENSETH WON DAYTONA -- HE HAS NEVER WON HERE. >> Michael: BUT CARL HAS BEEN CLOSE. I LOVE WHAT CARL SAID. I GET IT. IF YOU COME TO TALLADEGA, YOU GO TO MOST RACETRACKS AND THIS WILL BE FINE. I'M PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET HURT. YOU COME TO TALLADEGA AND THINK THERE IS GOOD CHANCE I COULD HIT SOMETHING REALLY HARD HERE. THAT IS IN THE DRIVERS' MINDS. THEY UNDERSTAND THERE IS THAT FACTOR AT TALLADEGA. >> Chris: I'M AMAZED AT THE BRAD KESELOWSKI WRECK. REMEMBER, HE WALKED ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. HAD THE AWARENESS TO DO THAT. >> Darrell: WHAT YOU DON'T WANT IS A WILD RIDE HERE. WE SAW IT YESTERDAY. WE SAW IT ON FRIDAY. THE WILD RIDES. SOMEONE SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE 14 CAR'S THROTTLE STUCK. HE DIDN'T. HE JUST GOT PUSHED OFF THE TRACK THAT FAST. YOU CAN'T STOP A 3400-POUND CAR GOING 200 MILES PER HOUR IN AN INSTANT. >> Michael: DO YOU MOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO HIT IT? >> Chris: I DON'T. >> Michael: I DON'T TAKE MY HANDS OFF THE WHEEL. I'M GOING AHHH! >> Chris: I'LL HELP PEOPLE AT HOME GET CLOSE TO THAT FEELING AS POSSIBLE. COMING UP, WE TALK TO TONY STEWART, AS WELL AS KYLE BUSCH. FARMER'S INSURANCE HAS RUN A CAMPAIGN AROUND THE TWITTER #FARMERS5. FOR KASEY KAHNE. SOME OF THE RESPONSES FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SEND OUT A TWEET AND WHY YOU THINK KASEY KAHNE HAS THE BEST CHANCE TO WIN AT TALLADEGA. WE THANK YOU FOR SENDING OUT THE TWEETS. WE WISH KASEY KAHNE AND HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS GOOD LUCK TODAY. KYLE BUSCH, WE CHAT WITH HIM. THEN THE DRIVER OF THE 88, DALE EARNHARDT JR. SITS DOWN WITH OUR MIKE ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Chris: NASCAR ON FOX WELCOMES YOU BACK LIVE TO TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY. GETTING READY FOR 500 MILES OF SHEER FEAR. IT RAINED EARLIER. THEY'RE DRYING THE TRACK. WE'LL GO RACING SHORTLY. COOL THINGS OFF A BIT. JEFF GORDON IS ON THE POLE. THE SIX-TIME WINNER HERE AT TALLADEGA. DALE JR. HAS WON HERE FIVE TIMES. EACH OF THEM CEREMONYING FOR THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON. WE WELCOME YOU INSIDE THE HOLLYWOOD HOTEL. GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE ACTION. HALL-OF-FAMER DARRELL WALTRIP, TWO-TIME DAYTONA 500 WINNER, MICHAEL WALTRIP. CHRIS MYERS. OF COURSE, YOU ARE RUNNING IN THIS RACE. YOUR FIRE SUIT IS UNDER YOUR OTHER SUIT. STILL HAVE THE PANTS AND READY TO GO. DALE EARNHARDT JR., A GUY WHO IF HE IS GOING TO WIN A RACE THIS IS A GOOD TIME. HE FINISHED SECOND SEVEN TIMES IN BETWEEN HIS LAST WIN. HE IS SECOND IN POINTS. YOU HAD A CHANCE TO HANG OUT WITH HIM. >> Michael: WE GO TO MARTINSVILLE AND YOU SAID DALE JR. BETTER WON GOOD. HE DID. LOM WON. RICHMOND, SAME STORY. LAST WEEK, GOOD TRACK FOR DALE JR. NOW TO TALLADEGA. HE WON FOUR IN A ROW FROM 2001 TO 2003 AT THIS PLACE. HE IS IN THE BEST PLACE I'VE SEEN HIM MENTALLY IN A LONG TIME. HE AND I HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT TOGETHER, BEING TEAMMATES AND DEALING WITH THE TRAGIC DAY BACK IN 2001. AND I WAS HAPPY TO SEE HIM SMILE. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Michael: WHAT'S DIFFERENT? >> I DON'T KNOW. I HAVEN'T HAD A HAIRCUT IN A WHILE. GROWING MY HAIR OUT. >> GETTING LONGER? >> IT DOES THAT WHEN YOU DON'T CUT IT. MY BUDDY SEAN AND HIS MOM CUTS IT. >> DID SHE MOW THE BEARD OFF? >> DECIDED TO KNOCK IT OFF. IT WILL BE REAL HOT IN TALLADEGA. >> THIS IS YOUR 13th SEASON, I DON'T THINK YOU GOT OFF TO A BETTER START EVER. HOW IS IT FEELING? >> IT FEELS GOOD. WE'RE STILL REAL ANXIOUS TO GET TO VICTORY LANE. >> THE CLOSER YOU GET, THE MORE YOU WANT IT. THE HARDER, YOU KNOW, THE HARDER YOU TRY TO PUSH FOR IT AND HARDER YOU WORK FOR IT. IT'S A MOTIVATING FACTOR FOR US. >> NASCAR ON FOX WE ARE ABLE TO LISTEN TO YOU COMMUNICATE THROUGHOUT THE RACE. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THIS YEAR WHEN YOUR CAR WAS TERRIBLE AT POINTS IN THE RACE AND YOU GUYS FIXED IT. THAT HAS TO BE REALLY REWARDING. >> IT IS THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I REALLY HAVE TO GIVE STEVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR IS HE FIXES THE CAR. THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT IS RARE. >> THAT'S RIGHT. >> I DON'T KNOW, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW RARE THAT IS. WE HAVEN'T ARGUED IN MONTHS. THAT'S JUST UNBELIEVABLE FOR ME BECAUSE I ARGUE ALL THE TIME. WITH SOMEBODY. >> SOMETIMES YOU WANT SOMEBODY TO ARGUE WITH. THAT'S ALL YOU WANT. A LITTLE ARGUMENT OUT THERE. >> HIS ATTITUDE AND HIS PERSONALITY, STEERS YOU IN OTHER DIRECTIONS, MAKES YOU WANT TO HELP HIM AND WORK WITH HIM AND MAKES YOU WANT TO SIT DOWN WITH HIM FOR HOURS ON END TO FIND A SOLUTION. TO HELP HIM, YOU KNOW, SPIN THE WHEELS AND THE GEARS IN THE BRAIN TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO BY THE END OF THE DAY TO SET THE CAR UP FOR SUNDAY. >> WITH A FEW LAPS TO GO AT MARTINSVILLE IT LOOKS LIKE HENDRICK'S 200 WIN WAS A LOCK. IS THERE FRIENDLY CAMARADERIE, RIVALRY ABOUT WHO WILL GET THE 200? >> IT'S LIKE THE PICTURE GOING IN THE 8th INNING, PITCHING A NO-HITTER. NOBODY TALKS TO HIM. GOES TO THE OTHER END OF THE DUGOUT. THAT'S THE WAY WE'RE DOING IT. NOBODY REALLY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT. A MILESTONE LIKE THAT, OF COURSE I WANT TO BE THE GUY TO WIN IT. BECAUSE I WANT TO WIN A RACE. WHOEVER DOES IT, YOU ARE GOING TO BE -- THE EMOTION IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE FIRST AND FOREMOST HOW HAPPY YOU ARE FOR RICK. >> YOU HAD A GOOD TEACHER IN 2000. DALE SENIOR DROVE FROM 18th TO WIN IN THREE LAPS. THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE. >> I REMEMBER BEING IN THE RACE, AND THINKING THAT I WAS IN THE CAT-BIRD SEAT. PUSHING ON THE INSIDE. LEADING THE RACE. AND I AM THINKING MAN, I GOT THIS GUY WHERE I WANT HIM. A FEW LAPS TO GO. DAD STARTS -- I'M LOOKING BACK. HE IS LIKE TEN ROWS BACK. EIGHT ROWS BACK. THEN I'M THINKING MAN, IF HE GETS UP HERE, I CAN'T PUSH SKINER. BECAUSE EITHER DAD HAS TO WIN OR I GOT TO WIN. THEN MY WHOLE STRATEGY FELL APART. I'M NOT IN THE CAT-BIRD SEAT ANYMORE. DAD ENDED UP WINNING THE RACE. THAT WAS A BIG DEAL. HE WAS REAL PROUD OF THAT. >> YOU HAD A STREAK OF FOUR IN A ROW. THAT'S AMAZING. LET'S START ANOTHER STREAK ON SUNDAY. WHAT DO YOU SAY? YOU LOST A FEW, 100-SOME, THAT IS NOTHING COMPARED TO 462. I LOST THAT MANY IN A ROW ONCE. >> I REALLY DON'T THINK ABOUT HOW LONG IT'S BEEN. YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEEN A WHILE WHEN YOU SIT DOWN AND CONSIDER IT. BUT IT'S NOT A FACTOR NOW. >> WE'RE CLOSE AND I FEEL LIKE IF WE KEEP THIS UP, WE SHOULD, WE SHOULD SUCCEED AND GET TO VICTORY LANE. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO DO IT IN TALLADEGA. >> Michael: WHAT A CONFIDENT YOUNG MAN THAT IS HEADING IN THIS RACE TODAY. ONLY FIVE POINTS BACK. HE COULD LEAVE HERE NOT ONLY WITH THE WIN BUT THE POINTS LEAD, TOO. >> Darrell: APPLES DON'T ROLL TOO FAR FROM THE TREE. HE'S LIKE HIS DAD. HAPPY EARNHARDT IS A WINNING EARNHARDT. HE IS HAPPY. >> Michael: SEE HIM IN THE BLACK NUMBER 3 CAR, WAVING TO KENNY WALLACE, C'MONER NOW, LET'S GO! GREAT VIDEO. WHAT A GREAT WAY THAT WAS TO SEE DALE COME THROUGH AND WIN THE RACE. >> Chris: YOU ARE CLOSE TO HIM. YOU HAVE CAN'T CHANGE, YOU WERE CLOSE TO HIS DAD. HOW MUCH HAS THAT AFFECTED OR GOTTEN IN THE WAY WITH DALE EARNHARDT JR.'S SUCCESS? WE KNOW HE IS NASCAR'S MOST POPULAR DRIVER AND HAS BEEN WITHOUT A CHAMPIONSHIP. >> Michael: IT'S BEEN REALLY HARD. IT'S SOMETHING THAT TOOK US ALL BY SURPRISE. IT WAS SHOCKING TO LOSE DALE AND TO TRY TO LIVE THROUGH THE YEARS DIRECTLY AFTER THAT WAS CONFUSING FOR EVERYONE. I THINK DALE JR. IS IN A BETTER PLACE NOW, BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE WILL NEVER FORGET. DALE JR. AND I WERE A PART OF THAT, IN THE MIX WHEN IT WENT DOWN. WE PROBABLY NEVER WILL GET OVER IT. >> Darrell: I THINK JUNIOR, I THINK HE LOST HIS INSPIRATION. I THINK FOR A WHILE, HE WAS LIKE A SHIP WITHOUT A RUTER. HE DIDN'T HAVE ANYBODY HE COULD -- HE WAS SO GOOD. MIKE KNOWS THIS. HE'D COME UP AND ARM AROUND YOU AND PAT YOU ON THE BACK AND YOU WANTED TO GO OUT AND DO IT FOR HIM. WHEN JUNIOR LOST HIS DAD, HE DIDN'T HAVE A "HIM" TO GO DO IT FOR. >> Chris: WHEN THERE IS A LOSS IN YOUR LIFE, YOUR PURPOSE IS THROWN OFF A LITTLE FOR A WHILE. WE THOUGHT WITH RICK HENDRICK, GOING TO HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS, NOT ONLY A GREAT TEAM BUT MAYBE THE INFLUENCE COULD HELP. LEAD HIM A CHAMPIONSHIP. >> Michael: IT HAS HELP. HE WAS LOST, LIKE DARRELL SAID BUT NOW HE IS HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. BUT YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW POWERFUL THE ARM OF DALE PUTTING AROUND YOU AND SAYING YOU CAN DO IT, I KNOW YOU CAN. YOU KNOW I LOST MORE RACES IN A ROW THAN ANYONE EVER HAS AND THEN WON A RACE. THAT ARM WAS THE REASON WHY I WON IT. DALE JR. WAS ON GAS AND GOING IN AN AMAZING DIRECTION WITH HIS DAD GUIDING HIM. AND HE LOST THAT. BUT I THINK NOW HE HAS FOUND COMFORT IN WHERE HE IS AT, AT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS AND HE IS BACK. >> Darrell: I WAS DOWN. I WAS WAY DOWN. IT WAS THE END OF MY CAREER. I NEEDED SOMETHING TO HELP ME GET BACK UP. DALE CAME ALONG AND SAID IF YOU GET IN THE 1 CAR AND YOU GO WIN RACES. I WANTED TO WIN FOR DALE. MICHAEL CAME ALONG. MICHAEL HADN'T WON A RACECH RACE.EVERYBODY SAID WHY MIKE? DALE SAID I'LL SHOW YOU WHY AND MICHAEL 2010 FIVE. DAYTONA 500. YOU WANTED TO IMPRESS HIM. HE WAS THE BEST AT WANTING TO TELL PEOPLE I TOLD YOU SO. >> Chris: EVERY YEAR AROUND HIS BIRTHDAY AND WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS BIRTHDAY AND HIS THOUGHTS. >> TIME YOU ARE AT TALLADEGA -- >> Chris: THE SUCCESS. >> Michael: HE WAS WHAT TALLADEGA WAS ALL ABOUT. ANYTIME YOU ARE HERE, YOU ARE CERTAINLY, YOU HAVE DALE IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND. >> Chris: DALE EARNHARDT JR., FIVE STRAIGHT TOP TEN FINISHES. ONE MORE WOULD EQUAL HIS BEST. HE WANTS THAT WIN. WE KNOW THAT. SO DO YOU, IN THE 55 AARON'S CAR. WE WISH YOU LUCK. GOOD LUCK ON THE TRACK. >> Michael: THANK YOU. >> Chris: WE LOOK FORWARD TO CHATTING. >> Darrell: THAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION. THAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION. GO OUT THERE AND RIDE STRONG. >> Chris: HE DOESN'T USUALLY DRESS LIKE THAT WITH THE FIRE SUIT PANTS AND SUIT. HE'S USUALLY IN BOXER SHORTS. >> Michael: DOES IT MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG? >> Chris: GOOD LUCK. DARRELL ANDLY CONTINUE TO COUNT YOU DOWN TO THE START OF THE RACE. >> Darrell: THE ANSWER IS YES. >> Chris: AT TALLADEGA. IF SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS SHOWN EXTRAORDINARY CHARITY AND KINDNESS AND WORKING FOR KIDS, YOU CAN NOMINATE THEM FOR THE BETTY FRANCE HUMANITARIAN AWARD. THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE $100,000 DONATION FROM THE NASCAR FOUNDATION FOR THEIR FAVORITE CHARITY. THERE IS ROBERT WEBBER, THE FIRST EVER WINNER. WE CONGRATULATE HIM. YOU CAN GO TO NASCAR.COM/FOUNDATION FOR DETAILS. AND WE'RE COUNTING YOU DOWN TO THE START OF THE RACE HERE AT TALLADEGA. 500 MILES OF THE SUPERSPEEDWAY, AS MIKE IS OUTSIDE THE HOLLYWOOD HOTEL READY TO HOP IN HIS CAR AND RACE WITH 42 OTHER DRIVERS, THE BEST IN THE >> Chris: NASCAR ON FOX PRE-RACE SHOW IS SPONSORED BY -- >> Chris: CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOX SPORTS FAMILY, PICKING UP FIVE EMMY AWARDS THIS WEEK. OUR FRIENDS AT SPEED AND JOE BUCK, AMONG THE WINNERS AND NASCAR, NICE JOB. GOOD WORK ON THE WORLD SERIES AS WELL. SPEAKING OF BASEBALL HERE FOR THE NEXT EIGHT MONTHS, VIRTUALLY EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT, FOX SPORTS WILL HAVE PRIMETIME EVENTS. NEXT WEEK, PRIMETIME AT DARLINGTON WITH DANICA PATRICK RUNNING THERE. IN TWO WEEKS, BASEBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA TAKES OVER FOR EIGHT STRAIGHT SATURDAY NIGHTS. >> THIS IS ALREADY A CLASSIC. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> THERE'S A SHOT. WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT! >> PRIMETIME BASEBALL ON FOX IS BACK! ♪♪ ♪♪ >> THERE WE GO. >> OUT AT THE PLATE! >> Announcer: EIGHT STRAIGHT SATURDAYS. >> UNBELIEVABLE. YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING. >> BASEBALL IN PRIMETIME. >> HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT? [ CHEERS & APPLAUSE ] >> Announcer: THE MAGIC IS BACK! >> A DIVING CATCH! >> HE HAS DONE IT AGAIN! >> WHAT A RIDE! >> BASEBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA. STARTS MAY 19. ONLY ON FOX. >> Chris: WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BASEBALL HEROES, RACING HEROES. WOULD HAVE ABOUT PRIMETIME, THOUGH, FOR DRIVERS? TWO SATURDAY NIGHT PRIMETIME RACES SANDWICHED IN BETWEEN PLACE LIKE THIS AT TALLADEGA. >> Darrell: YEAH. AFTER TODAY, YOU KNOW, WE GO TO DARLINGTON NEXT WEEK. SATURDAY NIGHT RACE, UNDER THE LIGHTS. GOING TO START A LITTLE BIT EARLIER. THAT IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER ONE THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO MISS. >> Chris: EXCITED ABOUT DANICA PATRICK, SEEING HER, RIGHT? >> Darrell: I TOLD HER, HOW IS IT GOING TO BE THERE, D.W.? I SAID THE FIRST THING YOU HEAR ON THE RACETRACK, CRK, KRK, KRK. "WHAT'S THAT?" THAT IS YOUR CAR RUBBING UP ALONG THE WALL. >> Chris: EARN THE DARLINGTON STRIPE. ONE OF NASCAR PRIMETIME PLAYERS, 27-YEAR-OLD KYLE BUSCH WITH 24 WINS. ONE OF WHICH CAME AT TALLADEGA. KYLE'S DRIVE FOCUSED ON THE CHAMPIONSHIP PICTURE NOW, ESPECIALLY AFTER FINDING HIS GROOVE LAST WEEK AT RICHMOND. >> KYLE BUSCH IS A ROCKET! >> PHENOMENAL HERE AT RICHMOND. >> GETS ON PIT ROAD. >> THEY WON THE BATTLE OFF PIT ROAD. >> KYLE BUSCH SCORES HIS 24th CAREER VICTORY. FOUR IN A ROW FOR THE SPRING RICHMOND RACE. >> M&Ms FOR EVERYONE! >> ON SATURDAY, KYLE BUSCH ALMOST SCORED A WIN UNTIL HIS TEAMMATE JOEY LOGANO MADE THE PATENTED PETTY VERSUS PEARSON SLINGSHOT MOVE IN SIGHT OF THE FINISH. JUDGING WITH THE DIFFERENT VARIABLES AND FACTORS TODAY WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE GOING IN THE LAST LAP, KYLE? >> I STILL THINK YOU WANT TO BE LEADING. BUT YOU KNOW, TO ME, IT'S A TOUGH SCENARIO WHETHER YOU WANT TO BE LEADING OR SECOND OR WHERE YOU WANT TO BE. YOU KNOW, YESTERDAY I THOUGHT WE WERE IN AOOD SPOT. I THOUGHT THE GUYS WOULD GET TO THE OUTSIDE A LITTLE BIT AND JOEY HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PUSH ME TO THE WIN. INSTEAD OF GIVING A CHEVROLET OR A FORD A WIN, WE WANTED TO GET TOYOTA TO VICTORY LANE. BUT IT DIDN'T QUITE GET ALONGSIDE OF ME. JOEY MADE THE MOVE AND WON THE RACE. >> Matt: RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACING A COMPLETELY ANIMAL. BESIDES THE MOTORS POSSIBLY RUNNING WARM AND KEEPING THOSE COOL, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN? >> THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE PACK. BEING BACK IN THE PACK. NOT KNOWING THE UNKNOWN. YOU KNOW, WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BIG ONE OR SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN. IF SOMEONE MAKES A SMALL MISTAKE. IT'S EASY TO MAKE A MISTAKE BECAUSE WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE LOOKING MORE AT THE WATER TEMPERATURE GAMES AND THE PRESSURE GAUGES AND ALL OF THAT STUFF, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN CONTROL OF WHAT WE'VE GOT GOING ON. SOMEBODY LOOKS DOWN FOR A SPLIT SECOND AND MAKES A MOVE AND NOT COUNTERREACT AND GET TOGETHER. SO CERTAINLY, THE BIG ONE IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CONCERN. >> Matt: HE WON HERE IN 2008. LOOKING FOR ANOTHER ONE HERE TODAY. >> Chris: ALL RIGHT, THANKS, KYLE AND MATT. YOU HAVE SAID ABOUT ROWDY BUSCH THAT HE COULD DRIVE FOUR-WIDE ALL BY HIMSELF. >> Darrell: YEAH. >> Chris: WHAT ABOUT AT A PLACE LIKE THIS? >> Darrell: HE CAN MOVE HIS CAR AROUND QUICKENER MORE PLACES THAN ANYBODY I'VE EVER SEEN. YOU KNOW WHAT MAKES HIM GOOD HERE, CHRIS? HE IS A MULTITASKER. YOU JUST HEARD HIM SAY WE GOT TO WATCH THE GAUGES. REMEMBER, I TOLD YOU LIKE A BOBBLEHEAD. LOOK LEFT, LOOK RIGHT, LOOK AHEAD AND LOOK BEHIND. HE CAN DO THAT BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE. WHEN HE SEES A LITTLE CRACK HE MAKES IT IN THERE AND MAKES IT WORK. >> Chris: HOW ABOUT ENDURANCE? HE IS ONE OF THE YOUNGER GUYS. WE HAVE GUYS OVER 40 LIKE GREG BIFFLE, TONY STEWART. HE IS 27. IN TERMS OF THE HEAT, LENGTH OF THE RACE, THE KIND OF PRESSURE. AND MENTAL PRESSURE OVER THE LONG HAUL. >> Darrell: YEAH, YOU KNOW, HE HAS 104 WINS IN ALL THREE SERIES. ONE MORE HE WILL TIE DAVID PEARSON WITH 105. THIS GUY HAS SO MUCH TALENT. THAT MAKES HIM SO GOOD. THE CAR CONTROL IS UNBELIEVABLE. WE SEE HIM GET -- I MEAN THINK BACK TO THE RACE AT DAYTONA IN THE BUD SHOOTOUT. HE SPUN OUT TWICE. HE WON THAT RACE IN A WRECKED RACECAR. HE WON HERE LAST YEAR IN A NATIONWIDE RACE IN A WRECKED RACECAR. PEOPLE COUNT HIM OUT. HE'S DONE. HE COMES RIGHT BACK. >> Chris: PEOPLE TALK ABOUT A LACK OF ACTION SOMETIMES, CAUTION FLAGS, THE DRIVERS ARE THAT GOOD. WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT MISTAKES, THEY CAN MAKE A SAVE THAT NORMALLY WOULD BRING OUT A CAUTION OR CREATE A WRECK. >> Darrell: YOU WILL SEE IT ALL DAY LONG. THE GUYS, THEY WILL BE 120-DEGREES SIDEWAYS AND SAVE THE THING. THIS CAR IS PRETTY FORGIVING. ONE THING I WANT TO BRING UP AGAIN IS THE AERO PACKAGE HERE IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN WE HAVE HAD BEFORE. WE DON'T HAVE THE BIG SPOILER ON THE BACK LIKE WE HAD HERE BEFORE. THAT MAKES THE CARS EVEN HARDER TO HANG ON TO. PARTICULARLY WHEN SOMEBODY IS PUSHING ON YOU. >> Chris: YEAH. USUALLY HE IS A FAST STARTER, A LITTLE BIT SLOW. BUT HE FINALLY GOT THE WIN. WE'LL WATCH KYLE TODAY. TONY STEWART, NASCAR'S DEFENDING CHAMPION ALREADY HAS TWO WINS THIS YEAR. HE IS EIGHTH THOUGH IN THE POINT STANDINGS CURRENTLY, THIS IS THE TENTH RACE. DESPITE THE FRUSTRATION OF LOSING LAST WEEK, WHEN HE THOUGHT HE COULD WIN. STEWART HOPES TO WORK HIS WAY UP THE LADDER WITH A WIN IN TALLADEGA. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> STEWART IS THE LEADER. >> TONY'S CAR IS A LITTLE BIT BETTER. YOU NOT GOING TO PASS HIM. >> DEFENDING SPRINT CUP CHAMPION TONY STEWART. >> HE CONTINUES TO WIN. THE DOMINANCE CONTINUES. >> THE 14 IS JUST TOO STRONG. >> Steve: TONY STEWART, DARRELL WALTRIP AND I WERE LAUGHING THIS WEEK YOU GUYS AS RACERS, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER HOW MANY WINS YOU BUT YOU ALWAYS REMEMBER THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY. IS IT EASY TO PUT RICHMOND BEHIND YOU AND SAY HEY, WE HAVE THIS PLACE IN FRONT OF US? >> YEAH. HONESTLY, AFTER I GOT HOME I WAS MORE GRATEFUL THAT I HAD THAT GOOD OF A CAR. THAT IS THE FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS I HAD A CAR THAT GOOD AT RICHMOND. YOU KNOW, YOU GO BACK THERE AND YOU'RE DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU LET ONE GET AWAY AND THE SAME TIME YOU LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE AND SAY WE GAINED IT AT A TRACK WE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING AT RECENTLY. >> Steve: TONY, SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN DOWN HERE AND TALK TO THE TEAM, STEVE ADDINGTON, THE CREW CHIEF, WHAT IS YOUR BIG PRIORITY HERE TODAY? EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT THE TEMPERATURE. BUT IN YOUR MIND WHAT IS THE PRIORITY? >> WE HAVEN'T EVEN TALKED ABOUT IT. YOU CAN'T PLAN FOR ANYTHING WITH PRACTICE. YOU'RE NOT IN PACK YOU'LL BE IN AND YOU DON'T HAVE WEATHER CONDITIONS YOU'LL HAVE. TODAY WAS LITTLE BIT SUNNIER BUT IT'S HOT AND HUMID AND THAT MAKES THE TEMPERATURE GO UP. YOU WILL USE THE FIRST 50 TO 75 LAPS AS A PRACTICE SESSION. REALLY FEEL OUT WHAT YOU HAVE FOR THE RACE CONDITIONS. AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO PLAN FOR WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TODAY, YOU ARE GOING TO PLAN AS YOU ARE RUNNING. RUNNING. >> Steve: GOOD LUCK TODAY. >> THANK YOU. >> Chris: THANK YOU. INTERESTING 50 TO 75 LAPS, FINDING YOUR WAY. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THE LAST FEW DAYS HERE? >> Darrell: LIKE FOOTBALL. YOU CAN'T HAVE A GAME PLAN. YOU HEARD TONY SAY YOU GOT TO REACT. AS THINGS HAPPEN DURING THE RACE, MAYBE YOUR TEAMMATE GETS, YOU KNOW, MAYBE YOU LUTION HIM. YOU CAN'T FIND HIM. YOU GO WITH SOMEBODY ELSE. YOU HAVE TO BE REACTIONARY, FINDING THINGS TO WORK FOR YOU TO GET TO THE FRONT. YOU CANNOT BE CONSERVATIVE HERE. WATCH OUT FOR YOURSELF. JEFF GORDON LAST YEAR WAS DEPENDING ON TREVOR BAYNE TO PUSH HIM TO THE WIN. TREVOR BAILED ON HIM. YOU TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT. YOU HAVE TO REACT. IF YOU GET IN A SITUATION, REACT TO IT. >> Chris: BIGGER PICTURE, TONY STEWART WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP LAST YEAR, HIS THIRD. BECAUSE HE WON RACES WHEN HE HAD TO. THAT IS HOW HE EDGED OUT CARL EDWARDS. HE ALREADY HAS TWO WINS THIS YEAR. THE PRIORITY ON WINNING, THE TENTH RACE OF THE SEASON. SET IN GAUGE AS WE GET TO THE CHASE WHO IS GOING TO BE IN AND HOW THE WINS HELP YOU IN A WILD CARD SITUATION. >> Darrell: THERE ARE GUYS THAT YOU KNOW RIGHT NOW. JEFF GORDON IS THE FIRST GUY THAT COMES TO MIND. HE CAN MISS THE CHASE. HE IS RUNNING WELL. HE LED LAPS, BEEN UP FRONT, HAD A FAST CAR. HUH HE HAS TO GET A WIN OR TWO TO ASSURE HIMSELF OF GETTING IN THE CHASE. RIGHT NOW, I'D RATHER BE BRAD KESELOWSKI, WITH A WIN SITTING 13th THAN JEFF GORDON WITH NO WINS IN THE TOP 20 IN POINTS. >> Chris: WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT BRAD KESELOWSKI THAT MUCH. HE HAS THAT FEARLESS APPROACH, THE AGGRESSIVE APPROACH HERE. >> Darrell: HE WILL STICK IT IN THERE. >> Chris: WE CONTINUE TO COUNT YOU DOWN TO THE AARON'S 499 AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY. MORE DRIVER INTERVIEWS INCLUDING THE WINNER YESTERDAY'S RACE, JOEY LOGANO. WE WILL HEAR FROM THE POINTS LEADER, GREG BIFFLE. WHEN YOU SEE A JET DRIER AT A SUPERSPEED WAY AND THAT GUY -- UH-OH! YOU REALLY GET SCARED. >> Darrell: DON'T BE THAT THERE'S KEVIN HARVICK, THE CLOSER. LOOKING FOR HIS FIRST VICTORY OF THE SEASON. WE HEARD CARL EDWARDS TALK ABOUT HOW EXCITED HE IS TO BE IN THE RACE. AND TREVOR BAYNE, DAYTONA 500 SENSATION WINNER. ALREADY WE HAVE SEEN, AS WE WELCOME YOU BACK TO THE HOLLYWOOD HOTEL. DARRELL WALTRIP, CHRIS MYERS, GETTING READY START THE RACE AFTER A RAIN DELAY. YOU TALK ABOUT THE EXCITEMENT OF THE WEEKEND. ARCA RACE, AND LOOK AT THE HIGHLIGHTS. JOEY LOGANO WILL START 30th IN THE RACE TODAY. HE STARTED FOURTH AND LED ONLY 17 LAPS IN THE RACE YESTERDAY. WE TALKED ABLE THE WRECK A LITTLE EARLIER. KYLE BUSCH HAD AN EARLY LEAD. LOGANO WAS ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CAUTION AND WIN THE RACE. JOEY LOGANO IS NOW STANDING BY WITH OUR MATT YOCUM. >> Matt: IMPRESSIVE SATURDAY WIN BY JOEY LOGANO. WHEN YOU LOOK AT TODAY, TRYING TO PULL OFF THE WEEKEND SWEEP, WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR THE 20 TEAM? >> DIFFERENT CHALLENGES IN THE SPRINT CUP CARS THAN THE NATIONWIDE CARS. A LOT LESS DOWNFORCE, GOING FASTER. THE TEMPERATURES DOWN A LITTLE BIT DUE TO RAIN BUT I'M SURE IT WILL HEAT UP IN A LITTLE BIT. GOING FAST AND TWO-CAR PUSH MAKES IT HARDENER THESE CARS AND MAKES IT LESS STABLE. AND MAKES IT A HANDFUL. PLUS, THE CARS ARE RUNNING WARMER, TOO, WITH THE SPRINT CUP CARS. WHATEVER THE DOLLAR GENERAL CAN HANDLE IT AND LONG RAY. MAIN KEY IS SURVIVING. LIKE EVERY OTHER RACE TO BE THERE AT THE END. IF WE DO WHAT WE DID YESTERDAY AND POSITION OURSELVES GOOD FOR LAST RESTART AND MAKE IT HAPPEN. >> Matt: VICTORY BY YOUR BUDDY BRANDON McREYNOLDS ON FRIDAY. HOW FUN IS THAT TO WATCH HIM ON THE BOX? >> ALL MY BUDDIES WON THIS WEEK, TOO. BRANDON WON, COLMA WON, I WON YESTERDAY. ONE MORE SHOT. TRY TO GET THIS ONE, TOO. THAT RACE WAS COOL TO WATCH BRANDON GET THEM ON THE LAST LAP. I TOOK NOTES FROM WHAT HE DID YESTERDAY. >> Matt: THE THEME THIS WEEKEND: THE LAST LAP. CHRIS? >> Chris: JOEY A LIKABLE 21-YEAR-OLD. REMEMBER WHEN HE CAME ON THE SCENE. HE HAS ONE CUP WIN. SLICED BREAD, GOING TO BE GREAT. HASN'T PANNED OUT YET IN TERMS OF VICTORIES. >> Darrell: BUT THERE IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT THE KID THIS YEAR. NOTICE HIM IN THE INTERVIEW, YOU SAW HIM THERE, SMILING A LOT. NEGATIVE THOUGHTS PRODUCE NEGATIVE RESULTS. THESE DRIVERS, I'M TELLING YOU, THEY GET THINGS IN THEIR HEAD. THEY FEEL LIKE A BLACK CLOUD IS FOLLOWING THEM ALL THE TIME. YOU TO BE, YOU GOT TO BE POSITIVE. IF YOU DON'T THINK YOU CAN WIN, YOU WON'T WIN. >> Chris: I DON'T THINK I'M LETTING ANYTHING OUT OF THE BAG THAT JOEY HASN'T TALKED ABOUT, HE WAS AGAINST A SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST, HE SAID, "I DON'T THINK I NEED A SHRINK," AND THEN HE SAID IT HELPED MY CONFIDENCE. I TALK TO PEOPLE AND HE HAS A NEW OUTLIKE BECAUSE OF THAT. >> Darrell: COACH GIBBS TOLD ME EVERYBODY NEEDS A COACH. YOU'RE A COACH SO YOU WOULD SAY THAT, BUT THE BLIND OBVIOUS. SOMETIMES THERE ARE THINGS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE. SOMETIMES IN YOUR DRIVING, IN YOUR CAREER YOU DON'T SEE, YOU DON'T FEEL. SOMEBODY FROM OUTSIDE CAN TAKE A LOOK AND SAY HEY, DUDE, HERE IS SOME OF THE PROBLEM, HERE IS YOUR PROBLEM. >> Chris: A LOT FOR A 21-YEAR-OLD. JOE GIBBS RACING WITH KYLE BUSCH THEY HANDLED PRESSURE IN THAT AREA. A GUY HANDLING THE PRESSURE AND WON IN EVERY OTHER SERIES EXCEPT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE CUP SERIES. GREG BIFFLE IS TRYING TO DO THAT. HE IS CURRENTLY THE POINTS LEADER HEADING TO THIS, THE TENTH RACE OF THE SEASON. >> WHOO-HOO! LOOK AT THIS MAN GO. >> THIS IS ONE OF THE FASTEST CARS ON THE RACETRACK. >> HE DOESN'T RIDE. HE RACES ALL THE TIME. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Dick: GREG BIFFLE LEADS THE POINTS AND YOU HAVE BEEN HERE 18 TIMES WITHOUT WINNING. WHY WILL TODAY BE DIFFERENT? >> WE HAVE COME REALLY CLOSE. YOU KNOW HOW TALLADEGA IS. IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU ARE AT. WE WERE 20th ON THE LAST LAP. AND I PUSHED CARL ALL THE WAY UP AND WE GOT SIXTH OR SEVENTH LAST RACE HERE. YOU KNOW, BUT TWO-CAR TANDEM, IT WILL BE DIFFERENT TODAY. I GOT A FAST CAR. HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. >> Dick: GOOD LUCK. THANKS, GREG. >> Chris: ALL RIGHT, THANKS, GREG, AND DICK. FINALLY GETTING THE RESPECT. HE'S LIKE HEY, WHAT ABOUT ME? YOU CAN'T OVERLOOK A GUY ON TOP OF THE POINTS. >> Darrell: THE GUYS SAY THINGS IN INTERVIEW AND WE PICK THEM UP HERE AND THERE. HE SAID, "PEOPLE TELL ME THE 99 CAR IS THE NUMBER ONE CAR." CARL IS AT ROUSH-FENWAY. HE IS, I THINK HE SAID IT SARCASTICALLY. BIFFLE HAS A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING NOBODY ELSE HAS EVER DONE. WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP IN ALL THREE NASCAR SERIES. HE COULD DO IT THIS YEAR. A GREAT CREW CHIEF RELATIONSHIP RIGHT NOW. A LOT OF MOMENTUM. HE IS A POSITIVE GUY RIGHT NOW. >> Chris: 3M FORD. WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT HIM, THAT HE DRIVE ASKAR HARD. HAS HE BACKED OFF, BETTER CONTROL? >> Darrell: I CALL HIM A WHEEL MAN. HE IS VERY, VERY AGGRESSIVE. HE WILL RUN A CAR LOOSER THAN ANYONE ELSE. WHAT FASCINATES ME WHEN I WATCH IN THE IN-CAR CAMERAS OF THE DRIVERS HE TOLDS HIS STEERING WHEEL AT 3:00 AND 9:00 POSITION. MOST OF THE GUYS ARE AT 1:00 AND 10:00. HE IS AT 3:00 AND 9:00, THAT IS HOW HE WHEELS IT. >> Chris: LIKE TO BE 5:15 IN VICTORY LANE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S CENTRAL OR EASTERN TIME. DO GAS 'N' GO. YOU HAVE TO FLY SOLO BECAUSE MICHAEL IS ON THE TRACK. >> Darrell: SORRY, FOLKS. >> Chris: YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AND HE HAS ANSWERS. MATT KENSETH WON THE DAYTONA 500 IN FEBRUARY BUT FINISHED 14th OR WORSE AT TALLADEGA OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. WHAT DO YOU THINK HIS EXPECTATIONS ARE TODAY? >> Darrell: HERE IS SOMETHING, YOU CAN GET IN TREBLE TRYING TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. GUY LIKE MATT KENSETH, HE IS NOT A CHARGER. HE IS NOT ALWAYS THAT AGGRESSIVE BUT HE IS ALWAYS THERE AT THE END. THAT COULD PAY OFF FOR HIM TODAY. PEOPLE EXPECT TO DO CERTAIN THINGS. IF HE DOESN'T, HE GETS IN TROUBLE. >> Chris: ANOTHER QUESTION HERE. WE TOUCHED ON IT BUT WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO EXPOUND WITHOUT BEING INTERRUPTED. DID TONY STEWART TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CARL EDWARDS ON THAT RESTART LAP 82 IN RICHMOND LAST WEEK? >> Darrell: BOTH OF THE GUYS ARE FRIENDS OF MINE. CARL LETS TONY GET TO HIM. TONY GOT TO HIM AT THE END OF LAST YEAR IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP. RIGHT HERE, TONY SEES CARL TAKE OFF AND WHAT DO YOU THINK TONY SAID AT THAT POINT? GO AHEAD, SUCKER! I THINK HE -- THERE WAS A BIT OF A SETUP RIGHT THERE. >> Chris: GOT IN HIS HEAD A LITTLE BIT THERE. >> Darrell: HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG. >> Chris: NO. >> Darrell: IT'S ALL GOOD. >> Chris: GAMESMANSHIP. >> Darrell: A SMART DUDE RIGHT THERE. >> Chris: YOU WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. >> Darrell: CRAFTY. HE IS CRAFTY. >> Chris: AS YOU WERE. ALL RIGHT, WAS TONY STEWART CORRECT TO CRITICIZE NASCAR INITIALLY, HE HAS SINCE BACKED OFF ABOUT THE LATE RACE CAUTION? HE THOUGHT IT WAS A BOTTLE, IT WAS AN ALUMINUM CAN AND HE SAID OUT COULD FLY UP IN THE STANDS. HE THINKS IT COST HIM THE RACE. >> Darrell: IF I'M A DRIVER I THINK THE SAME THING. THEY THINK CARL EDWARDS THREW OUT A WATER BOTTLE AND MONTOYA HIT IT BLEW IT UP. NO CAUTION. HAT ON THE TRACK NO, CAUTION. THE DILEMMA IS NASCAR SEES SOMETHING ROLLING ON THE RACETRACK. THE CARS HAVE LEAD IN THEM TO MAKE IT WEIGH RIGHT. IF IT WAS LEAD AND SOMEONE RAN OVER IT AND BLEW THE WALL DOWN THEY'D GET MORE CRITICISM THAN THEY WOULD BY THROWING ONE TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE. >> Chris: WOULD BE EXCITING FINISH. FROM THE TWITTER ACCOUNT, THIS IS FROM JAY BOATMAN 24, NASCAR ON FOX, YOU CAN TWEET US DURING THE WEEK. WHEN WILL WE SEE TALLADEGA INSTALL LIGHTS AND HAVE A NIGHT RACE, LIKE TALLADEGA NIGHTS? >> Darrell: I WISH THEY HAD NIGHTS RIGHT NOW. THIS JOINT AT NIGHT THE WAY THEY RUB AND BUMP AND THE SPARKS WOULD BE FLYING. IT WOULD BE AWESOME. I HOPE THEY WOULD DO IT SOON. WE NEED IT. >> Chris: ALL RIGHT. IT SEEMS TANDEM RACING IS OLD NEWS HERE. THE PACK IS BACK IN TODAY'S RACE. IS IT A GOOD THING? >> Darrell: WELL, THE FANS LOVE IT. IT'S EXCITING. MY HEART RATE GOES UP AND MY BLOOD PRESSURE GOES UP WHEN I WATCH THEM RACE THE WAY THEY DO. YOU CAN GET FOUR WIDE HERE. NOT LIKE DAYTONA, THREE WIDE. YOU CAN GET FOUR WIDE HERE. LOOK AT THE FINISH LAST YEAR. YOU WILL SEE THINGS HERE YOU WON'T SEE ANYWHERE ELSE. >> Chris: ALL RIGHT. WE TALKED ABOUT TONY WINNING TWO RACES. DENNY HAMLIN THE ONLY OTHER DRIVER THAT WON TWO SEASON. HE HASN'T WON HERE OR THE RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACE. WHO IS THE BEST DRIVER WHO HASN'T WON HERE OR A RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACE? CARL EDWARDS, ANOTHER ONE, DENNY HAMLIN. >> Darrell: CARL COMES TO MIND BECAUSE HE HAS HAD A COUPLE OF GOOD SHOTS. HE FINISHED SECOND TO TREVOR BAYNE. FLIPPED OVER HERE BY BRAD KESELOWSKI. A GOOD CANDIDATE TO PULL OFF A WIN TODAY. >> Chris: THANK YOU FOR PLAYING GAS 'N' GO. RIGHT ON TIME. WITHOUT MICHAEL TO INTERRUPT. HEY, WE WANT TO SEND OUR BEST WISHES TO PAUL BROOKS. HE HAS BEEN A PART OF NASCAR FOR 20 YEARS, MOVING ON TO NEW CHALLENGES AND HAS HELPED US OUT. >> Darrell: A GREAT FRIEND OF MINE. A GREAT FRIEND TO ALL OF US AT FOX. PAUL, GOOD LUCK, WHATEVER YOU DO, WHEREVER YOU ARE GOING, WE LOVE YOU, MAN. >> Chris: HELP ME OUT ON PREDICTING A WINNER. WE KNOW YOU MENTIONED THE FIRST-TIME WINNER, WIDE OPEN. WE HAVE SEEN GUYS AT THE END WE THINK WE KNOW WHO WON THE RACE. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING TODAY? >> Darrell: DID YOU SEE THE FINISH AT LAST YEAR'S RACE? >> Chris: CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT. >> Darrell: EIGHT GUYS. IT WILL BE A HENDRICK TEAMMATE. I BELIEVE THEY HAVE GOOD RACECARS HERE. THE FORDS WERE FAST AT DAYTONA. I LIKE HENDRICK TEAMMATES. ONE OF THEM WILL PUSH ONE OR THE OTHER TO VICTORY LANE TODAY. >> Chris: WE'LL BE WATCHING BROTHER MICHAEL OUT THERE IN THE 55. >> Darrell: HE WILL BE IN THE MIX. >> Chris: SOMEWHERE. >> Darrell: OR IN THE MIXER. >> Chris: IT'S WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. JEFF GORDON IS ON THE POLE. REMEMBER, WE STARTED THE BROADCAST, WE TALKED ABOUT 20 OF THESE RACES AT TALLADEGA HAVE BEEN DECIDED BY A LAST LAP PASS. BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, 500-MILES IN FRONT OF US. THERE IS THE POLE-SITTER, JEFF GORDON. THE RISK-REWARD IN THIS RACE IS LIKE NO OTHER. YOU HEARD THE DRIVERS TALK ABOUT IT. DARRELL WALTRIP HEADS UPSTAIRS TO JOIN LARRY Mac, MIKE JOY TO CALL THE RACE. I'LL BE IN THE HOLLYWOOD HOTEL. WE'LL ALL BE WATCHING THE DRIVERS DO THEIR BEST. THE AARON'S 499 FROM TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY STRAIGHT AHEAD. WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE WITH US FOR NASCAR ON FOX. >> Chris: COUNTING YOU DOWN TO THE START OF THE AARON'S 499 HERE AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY. YOU CAN SEE THE CLEAR SKIES IN THE BACKGROUND, AFTER RAIN. A LITTLE BIT EARLIER. PUSHING US BACK. THE TWO CLOSEST FINISHES IN NASCAR WERE RIGHT HERE AT THIS TRACK LAST YEAR. THEY HAVE SET THE ALL-TIME LEAD CHANGE MARK AT THIS TRACK. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SEE TODAY? GO TRACKSIDE FOR OPENING CEREMONIES. >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE RISE AND REMOVE YOUR HATS, AS THE ALABAMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PRESENTS OUR NATION'S COLORS. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING, AS REVEREND ROB LIGHTSSY, A PASTOR OF UNION HILL BAPTIST CHURCH AND ALABAMA RACEWAY MINISTRIES VOLUNTEERS OFFERS TODAY'S INVOCATION. >> LET US PRAY. FATHER, WE'RE GRATEFUL TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE TODAY, WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE TRACK AND THOSE WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR US THIS WEEK. BLESS THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. BLESS OUR MILITARY FOLKS WHO PROTECT US EACH AND EVERY DAY. GOD, WE ASK FOR YOUR PROTECTION ACROSS THIS TRACK FOR OUR DRIVERS, FOR OUR PIT CREW, FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED TODAY. WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. AND FOR THE GRACE AND THE REDEMPTION THAT HE PROVIDES FOR US. GOD, WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE BLESSINGS OF LIFE IN JESUS NAME, AMEN. >> RACE FANS, PLEASE REMAIN STANDING AS SINGER/SONGWRITER AND CHART-TOPPING ARTIST, MARGO REY PERFORMS OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM. >> ♪ OH, SAY CAN YOU SEE ♪ ♪ BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT ♪ ♪ WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED ♪ ♪ THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING ♪ ♪ WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT ♪ ♪ O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED ♪ ♪ WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING ♪ ♪ AND THE ROCKET'S RED GLARE ♪ ♪ THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR ♪ ♪ GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT ♪ ♪ THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE ♪ ♪ OH, SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE ♪ ♪ O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE ♪ ♪ AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪♪ [ CHEERS & APPLAUSE ] >> Chris: ALWAYS A STIRRING MOMENT HERE. AND YOU CAN CHOOSE WHICH OF THE TOP FOUR QUALIFIERS YOU THINK WILL FINISH BEST IN THE RACE TODAY. TEXT "FAST" TO 34763 OR GO TO AT&TFASTESTDRIVER.COM TO PLAY. YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN 4Gs BY PLAYING ALONG IN TODAY'S AT&T FASTEST DRIVER CHALLENGE, BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE NATION'S LARGEST 4G NETWORK. DRIVERS LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON, WILL IT COME TODAY? >> Chris: THIS TRACK BUILT AT A SOY BEAN FIELD IN ABANDONED WORLD WAR II AIRPORT RUNWAY, TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY, THEY MADE IT TO BE THE BIGGEST, FASTEST AND MOST COMPETITIVE SUPERSPEEDWAY IN THE WORLD. LOCATED IF YOU LOOK ON THE MAP BETWEEN BIRMINGHAM AND ATLANTA. 100 MILES AWAY EACH. GREAT UNIVERSITIES. AND ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, AND AUBURN UNIVERSITY AS WELL. JEFF GORDON IS ON THE POLE. LOOKING FOR HIS FIRST WIN THIS YEAR. HOPING FOR SOME GOOD LUCK. THE LAST TIME JEFF GORDON WON FROM POLE WAS FIVE YEARS AGO AND IT CAME AT THIS VERY RACE HERE AT TALLADEGA. HE IS HOPING TO PUT THE HORSESHOE -- DOES HE NEED IT FOR HIS DRIVING -- OH, IT'S FOR GOOD LUCK. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE. THE FOUR-TIME CHAMPION, ONE OF MANY DRIVERS WHO JOINED US HERE ON THE PRE-RACE SHOW. THE AARON'S 499 RACE IS ABOUT READY TO ROLL. SO LET'S LISTEN FOR THOSE MAGIC WORDS. >> RACE FANS. IT'S TIME FOR THE MOST FAMOUS WORDS IN MOTORSPORTS. PLEASE WELCOME BACK TODAY'S GRAND MARSHAL, FROM BLUE COLLAR FAME, THE GRAMMY NOMINATED RON WHITE. [ APPLAUSE ] >> ALABAMA, ARE YOU READY? [ CHEERING ] GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES! [ ENGINES ROAR ] >> Chris: SO WE'RE GOING TO WATCH THE START. HOW WILL IT FINISH? PHOTO FINISH? CONTROVERSY? IT'S A LONG WAY TO GO AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY. LET'S HEAD UPSTAIRS TO THE GUYS WHO CALL THE RACE, LARRY McREYNOLDS, MIKE JOY, DARRELL WALTRIP. AND LARRY, ONCE AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS. I KNOW WE ALL ARE ROOTING FOR BRANDON AND HAPPY FOR WIN ON FRIDAY. >> Larry: THANK YOU, CHRIS. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF IT. >> Darrell: YES, SIR. THAT WAS A GREAT DAY. BUT I'LL TELL YOU. >> Mike: BRANDON DID NOT SHOW ANY SPEED UNTIL HE PICKED UP THE THIRD PLACE CAR ON THE BACK STRETCH OF THE FINAL LAP. HE KEPT TELLING THEM OVER THE RADIO, HE HAD SPEED BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW. NOW I WONDER IF TODAY WILL PLAY OUT MUCH THE SAME WAY? BECAUSE, DARRELL, THIS IS A 200-MILE-PER-HOUR PRESSURE COOKER. AS I TELL LARRY McREYNOLDS IN THE PSA EVERY WEEK, STRESS IS BAD FOR YOU! YOU ARE LOOKING, LOOKING PEAKED, LOOKING TENSE RIGHT NOW. >> Darrell: THIS IS THE MOST APPREHENSIVE START YOU HAVE ALL YEAR LONG. YOU KNOW, THEY'RE LIKE A STORM CHASER. YOU KNOW, YOU SEE THE STORM, YOU SEE THE TORNADO, YOU NORMALLY WOULD RUN AWAY FROM IT. BUT TODAY YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RUN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. THAT IS WHERE ALL THE SHAKING AND RATTLING AND ROLLING STARTS. YOU JUST GOT TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THAT. MULTITASKER. SOMEBODY LIKE A KYLE BUSCH THAT CAN HAVE A LOT GOING ON AROUND HIM AND STILL FOCUS. THAT IS THE KIND OF GUY THAT WINS AT TALLADEGA. >> Mike: IN THE EARLY LAPS, ARE YOU MORE CONCERNED ABOUT NOT GETTING IN TO TROUBLE OR MORE ABOUT WHERE YOU WANT TO GO? >> Darrell: THE EARLY LAPS IS WHEN YOU ARE ALL BUNCHED UP. THAT IS WHEN TURBULENCE IS AT THE WORST, IN THE STORM. ALL THE CARS RUN TOGETHER. YOU WON'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH AIR MOVES THE CARS AROUND. IT'S UNINTENTIONAL. YOU ARE TRYING TO HOLD IT STRAIGHT AND THE WIND IS TRYING TO BLOW YOU SIDEWAYS AND KNOCKS YOU INTO SOMEBODY, HE SPINS, UP THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD. HALF THE FIELD IS GONE. EARLY ON, YOU HAVE TO BE REALLY CAUTIOUS. >> Mike: LARRY, HOW DEEP IN THIS RACE BEFORE YOU KNOW IF YOUR DRIVER HAS A CAR THAT CAN WIN? AND HOW IS HE GOING TO FIND OUT? >> Larry: YEAH. YOUR DRIVER WILL KNOW PRETTY EARLY, WELL BEFORE WE GET CLOSE TO THE HALFWAY MARK OF THE 500-MILE RACE. HOW YOU FIND OUT YOU HAVE TO GET UP THERE AND MIX IT UP. YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR RACECAR IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS. YOU WANT TO BE SMART, BUT YOU HAVE TO BUILD THAT DATA BANK. ONE THING YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE OF, YOU CAN'T WAIT TOO LATE. GO BACK TO THE FALL LATE. THE CHILDRESS DRIVERS RACED AT THE FRONT AND THEY ENDED UP FINISHING ONE-TWO. HENDRICK DRIVERS HAD JUST AS GOOD AS RACECARS, THEY GOT TO THE BACK AND THEY WAITED TOO LATE. THEY COULDN'T GET BACK TO THE FRONT. >> Darrell: BEING A SUCK-IS UP A GOOD THING. >> Mike: AT LEAST FOR A WHILE. 499 MILES OF NASCAR SPRINT CUP RACING ON FOX TODAY FROM TALLADEGA. THIS PARTY IS ABOUT TO GET STARTED >>> WELCOME, RACE FAN, TO TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY, WHERE YOU ARE ABOUT TO WATCH THE RUNNING OF THE AARON'S 499, BECAUSE AT AARON'S, $499 A MONTH, WE CAN MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE. THIS IS THE FASTEST, MOST FUN RACE TO WATCH OF ENTIRE YEAR. I KNOW YOU WILL ENJOY IT. FROM OUR VERY BEST DRIVERS, PRODUCT TECHNICIANS, JUST REMEMBER NOBODY -- >> NOBODY! >> -- BEATS AARON'S. >> Mike: THIS IS TALLADEGA, WHERE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> SHE IS THE BADDEST, BOLDEST, FASTEST. >> THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. >> YOU HAVE NO FRIENDS. YOU ARE OUT THERE TO WIN THE RACE AND YOU HAVE TO DO IT ON YOUR OWN. THE QUESTION IS NOT IF IT WILL HAPPEN. IT'S WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Mike: NASCAR'S MOST UNPREDICTABLE SPEEDWAY. TALLADEGA. THE AARON'S 499 ON FOX. DELAYED BY MORNING RAIN. THE TRACK IS DRY. A LITTLE DAMPNESS AT THE END OF PIT ROAD WHERE THEY HAD PRE-RACE CEREMONY, BUT A NICE CROWD ON HAND TO SEE THE CARS RUN UPWARDS OF 200 MILES AN HOUR IN TIGHT PACKS AND TWO DRIVER TANDEMS. HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S GEICO STARTING GRID -- JEFF GORDON, 20 STRAIGHT SEASONS WITH THE POLE. TYING DAVID PEARSON'S RECORD. AND A.J. ALLMENDINGER'S BEST START AT TALLADEGA. FRONT ROW. MARCOS AMBROSE AND ARIC ALMIROLA HAVE THE BEST START OF THE SEASON, ROW TWO. KASEY KAHNE TOP TEN STARTS IN THE LAST NINE RACES. GREG BIFFLE, WHOSE FIRST CAREER WIN CAME AT DAYTONA IN A PLATE RACE. CARL EDWARDS, SECOND HERE TWICE AND TONY STEWART WINNER HERE IN 2008. MICHAEL WALTRIP HAS FOUR CAREER WINS, ALL ON PLATE TRACKS. AND MATT KENSETH WHO WON THE DAYTONA 500 THIS YEAR. TREVOR BAYNE, LAST YEAR'S 500 WINNER AND JUAN PABLO MONTOYA, THE RUNNER UP IN 2008. BRAD KESELOWSKI, THE 2009 WINNER. AND RYAN NEWMAN, LOOKING TO REBOUND ON THE PLATE TRACK SINCE JOINING STEWART-HAAS. MARTIN TRUEX HAS A FIFTH PLACE FINISH HERE. ROOKIE JOSH WISE MAKES HIS BEST CAREER START. PAUL MENARD AND FIVE-TIME TALLADEGA WINNER DALE EARNHARDT JR. ROUNDING OUT THE TOP 20, JIMMIE JOHNSON, TWO-TIME TALLADEGA WINNER AND KEVIN HARVICK, WHO WON THIS RACE TWO YEARS AGO. HAVE A LOOK AT THE REST OF THE STARTING LINE-UP -- LET'S GO TO FRONT ROW, DARRELL. >> Darrell: JEFF GORDON, D.W. GOT A COPY, MY FRIEND? >> HEY, D.W. I SURE DO. >> Darrell: CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING AT LEAST ONE POLE FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. NICE JOB! >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S PRETTY AWESOME. THIS ONE IS BECAUSE OF THE TEAM. OBVIOUSLY, WE KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN A RESTRICTOR-PLATE POLE TO GET THE JOB DONE WITH THESE THINGS. IT'S PRETTY COOL TO HAVE DuPONT ON BOARD FOR 20 YEARS WITH THEM. >> Darrell: ROGER THAT. JEFF, I KNOW THAT YOU A YOUR TEAMMATES HAVE HAD VARYING STRATEGIES AT THE RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACES. WHAT HAVE YOU GUYS WORKED OUT TODAY? DO YOU HAVE A PLAN? >> YOU KNOW WHAT? WITH THESE RULES I JUST DON'T THINK THERE IS A REAL SET PLAN. I THINK YOU HAVE TO PLAY IT BY EAR. THE GOAL IS THE SAME. THAT IS TO BE THERE AT THE END WHEN IT COUNTS THE MOST AND BE IN A POSITION TO WIN THE RACE. IT LOOKS LIKE BEING SECOND ON THE LAST LAP OR COME UP IS THE PLACE TO BE. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET US THERE. WE GOT TO WATCH THE COOLING. AND WATCH THE FENDERS. WE CERTAINLY HAVE A RACECAR TO DO IT AND RACE TEAM TO DO IT. >> Darrell: 10-4. IS THE TEMP GOING TO BE A PROBLEM TODAY? >> IT IS FOR THE GUYS THAT ARE GOING TO BE PUSHING. WE DON'T PLAN ON PUSHING UNTIL IT'S FOR THE WIN. WE SEE THE CHECKERED FLAG IN SIGHT. >> Darrell: ALL RIGHT. MY FRIEND, YOU'RE THE BEST. HAVE AT IT. GOOD LUCK. >> ALL RIGHT, D.W. THANK YOU. HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYS IT. IT SHOULD BE A HECK OF A SHOW. >> Mike: JEFF GORDON FROM THE POLE. IN MISDuPONT CHEVROLET -- IN HIS DuPONT CHEVROLET. PIT ROAD FOR LATE-BREAKING STORIES. MATT YOCUM? >> Matt: DALE EARNHARDT JR. WAS THE LONE RANGER AGAINST THE ROUSH FORDS AND HE FINISHED SECOND. YOU CAN HEAR THE CONFIDENCE IN DALE EARNHARDT JR.'S VOICE IN HIS SIT-DOWN WITH MICHAEL WALTRIP. THEY FEEL THIS IS THE BEST SHOT AT TALLADEGA IN EIGHT YEARS TO GO BACK TO VICTORY LANE. THE RULES PACKAGE MUCH LIKE HE HAD WHEN HE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN THE RESTRICTOR-PLATE HEYDAY. KEEP AN EYE ON THE 88. WE'LL BE GOOD. DICK BERGGREN? >> Dick: THE DAYTONA 500 WINNER MATT KENSETH HAS A FAST CAR, QUALIFYING TENTH FOR THIS AFTERNOON'S RACE. BUT THEY HAVE HAD TROUBLES WITH A VIBRATION. IT STARTED EARLY IN PRACTICE. THEY CHANGED THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE VIBRATION WENT AWAY BUT THEN IT CAME BACK. THEY ARE WORRIED IN MATT KENSETH'S PIT ABOUT A VIBRATION, BECAUSE MATT SAYS HE NEEDS SPEED. STEVE BYRNES? >> Steve: DICK, MATT KENSETH'S TEAMMATE GREG BIFFLE SAYS IT'S GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS AT TALLADEGA FOR HIM. HE SAID, "I RUN WELL HERE, I JUST NEVER FINISH WELL." HE SAID HE LEARNED A LOT FROM THE SEASON-OPENING DAYTONA 500. AND THAT LESSON IS: HE WANTS TO BE OUT FRONT. HE SAID IF ANYTHING HAPPENS, WHERE HE GETS MIDPACK, HE IS GOING TO GET OUT OF THERE AS FAST AS HE CAN, BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE TROUBLE UNFOLDS. UP FRONT IS WHERE HE WANTS TO BE. KRISTA VODA? >> Krista: WELL, STEVE, KASEY KAHNE STARTED THE SEASON WITH A WRECK AT DAYTONA. HE SAID THAT WAS THE MOST POWER HE EVER HAD IN A CAR AT THAT TRACK. HE SAYS THE CAR HE HAS HERE TODAY AT TALLADEGA IS EVEN BETTER. NOW THE SEASON HAS BEEN A SLUMP FOR KASEY KAHNE, BUT HE TOLD ME HE FEELS LIKE THINGS HAVE ALREADY TURNED THE CORNER. JEFF HAMMOND? >> Jeff: WELL, KRISTA, DARRELL AND MIKE LIKE TO TALK ABOUT HOT SPOTS. TODAY, THIS IS MY HOT SPOT. THE CARS COME DOWN THROUGH HERE AT THE START/FINISH LINE AT OVER 200 MILES PER HOUR. FOR FANS RIGHT HERE, THEY HAVE A FRONT REVIEW OF EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. A BIG AND EXCITING CRASH OR ANOTHER HISTORY-MAKING FINISH. MIKE? >> Mike: THANK YOU, JEFF. JET DRIERS EXITING THE TRACK AT THE START/FINISH LINE. DRYING UP WHERE THE PRE-RACE ACTIVITIES WERE HELD. THIS RACE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY BUDWEISER. THE BEER THAT STARTS WITH A FULL FLAVOR AND ENDS WITH A CRISP FINISH. GREAT TIMES ARE WAITING. GRAB SOME BUD. 43 DRIVERS AT THE READY. ONLY J.J. YELEY FAILED TO MAKE THE 43-CAR FIELD. WE TALKED TO SOME OF THE 43 ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF TALLADEGA. >> TALLADEGA IS THE BIGGEST, THE FASTEST, AND THE MEANEST TRACK. >> I DON'T GET NERVOUS ANYMORE WHEN I GET IN A RACECAR BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT ON SUNDAY MORNING I'M NERVOUS AT TALLADEGA. >> 200-PLUS MILES PER HOUR, INCHS AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER. >> YOU CAN BE LEADING ON THE LAST LAP AND WRECK IN A BIG PILE. >> YOU HAVE TO TAKE BIG CHANCES IN THE CLOSING LAPS AND HOLD ON TIGHT. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Mike: THEY'RE IN THE 4,000-FOOT BACK STRAIGHTAWAY. HALF A LAP FROM THE START OF THIS 499-MILE RACE ON A DAY WHERE IT MAY HIT 90-DEGREES. IT IS HOT AND MUGGY AFTER MORNING RAIN. A BIT OF A BREEZE. A LITTLE BIT OF SUN TO HELP DRY THE TRACK. MOSTLY CLOUDY THIS AFTERNOON. >> Darrell: YOU KNOW SOMETHING YOU REPLACE AFTER THIS RACE? THE STEERING WHEEL. BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE SUCH A GRIP ON THAT THING YOU WILL SQUEEZE IT UNTIL THERE IS NOTHING LEFT. >> Mike: THE PACE CAR RUNS 70 MILES PER HOUR. 55 ON PIT ROAD. >> Larry: FUEL WINDOW FOR SUNOCO RACE FUEL, 42-46 LAPS. THINGS GET INTERESTING ON PIT ROAD. DAVID GILLILAND, TRAVIS KVAPIL, COUPLE OF TEAMMATES THERE GOING TO THE REAR OF THE FIELD, UNAPPROVED ADJUSTMENTS. >> Darrell: GETTING ON PIT ROAD HERE, COMING OFF THE TRACK AT 190 MILES PER HOUR AND TRYING TO GET DOWN TO PIT ROAD SPEED, HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH THE TIRES IF YOU DON'T PLAN ON CHANGING THEM. >> Mike: THEY ARE BETWEEN TURNS THREE AND FOUR. MORE THAN A MILE FROM OUR POSITION ABOVE THE START/FINISH LINE. AND IN FRIDAY'S AND SATURDAY RACES HERE. THE LEADER RIGHT THERE, WAS NOT THE LEADER BACK AT THE FINISH LINE ON THE LAST LAP. >> Darrell: THAT IS WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE PRE-RACE SHOW, THE PIECE WITH THE START/FINISH LINE, MIKE. HOW MANY GUYS WOULD HAVE WON HERE IF THAT LINE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRI OVAL? >> Mike: YOU ARE ONE OF THEM. >> Darrell: I WOULD HAVE GOT ONE MORE. >> Mike: THAT'S RIGHT. A LOT OF AN BOARD VIEWS FOR YOU TODAY. YOU SEE A LOT OF DEVICES IN THERE TO HELP DRIVERS KEEP THEIR COOL. IN TO THE TRIOVAL FOR THE FINAL MOVE MUST BE MADE TO GET TO FINISH LINE. AND VICTORY LANE. TALLADEGA IS READY TO RACE. >> Darrell: GREEN FLAG IS IN THE AIR. BOOGITY, BOOGITY, BOOGITY -- LET'S GO FOUR-WIDE RACING, BOYS! [ ENGINES ROAR ] >> Mike: ALL THE WAY DOWN THROUGH THE CHUTE, AMBROSE WAS GIVING JEFF GORDON A SHOVE. GORDON POPS OUT FROM THE PACK WITH THE LEAD. >> Larry: YOU SEE JUAN PABLO MONTOYA IN THE 42 CAR. NOTORIOUS FOR GOING TO THE REAR AT THE START OF THE RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACES. I'M SURE HIS TEAMMATE JAMIE McMURRAY AND THE 1 WILL DO THE SAME THING. >> Darrell: DID YOU SEE JEFF GORDON? HE GOT SUCH A JUMP. THIS IS WHAT YOU WATCH OUT FOR ON THE RESTART. HE GOT OUT THERE AND YOU SEE HOW EVERYBODY IS EATING HIM UP. A SITTING DUCK. >> Mike: AMBROSE IN THE 9 PUSHED JEFF GORDON AWAY FROM THE PACK SO HE COULD HOOK UP WITH HIS RICHARD PETTY FORD TEAMMATE ARIC ALMIROLA IN THE 93. CAN THEY LEAD THE FIRST LAP? DON'T COUNT ON IT. HERE COMES THE OUTSIDE LANE. LED BY TONY STEWART. PUSHED BY MATT KENSETH. FOLLOWED BY RYAN NEWMAN. AND STEWART LEADS LAP ONE. >> Darrell: I WOULD SAY MATT KENSETH FEELS PRETTY GOOD ABOUT THAT VIBRATION. IT'S A GOOD VIBRATION RIGHT NOW! >> Mike: THREE HOOF WIDE HALFWAY BACK. DALE JR. ON BOTTOM, JEFF BURTON IN THE MIDDLE. >> Larry: THEY'RE THREE WIDE, EIGHT ROWS DEEP FROM 12th ON BACK. >> Darrell: WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF RAIN, BUT GRIP IS NOT A PROBLEM HERE. THE ONLY THING I THINK I WORRY ABOUT A LITTLE BIT IS THE LITTLE REAR BLADE THE CARS HAVE ON THEM TO MAKE THEM A LITTLE UNPREDICTABLE GETTING IN THE CORNER. >> Mike: DALE JR. SWEEPS TO THE OUTSIDE. IN FRONT OF ALLMENDINGER. AS THIS ALL HAPPENS BACK IN THE BACK OF THE TOP 20. >> Darrell: I LOVE TO LOOK AT THE CARS WHEN THEY'RE IN TURN. THE BODY ALMOST DRAGGING THE GROUND. UP OFF THE STRAIGHTAWAY, THE CAR COMES OFF THE GROUND A LITTLE BIT AND GETS A LITTLE FREE. >> Mike: STEWART AND KENSETH CONTINUE TO LEAD. THE OUTSIDE LINE IS NOT MAKING THE WAY. >> Larry: THE SECOND GROOVE IN THE DAYTONA 500, YOU COULD MAINTAIN BUT YOU COULDN'T MOVE TO THE FRONT. >> Mike: KEVIN HARVICK, THE BLACK AND RED 29 BACK UP TO DALE EARNHARDT JR., A.J. ALLMENDINGER AND THE REST OF THE OUTSIDE LANE. >> Darrell: A LITTLE BIT EARLY. I'M NOT MAKING ANY PREDICTION ABOUT WHAT LINE IS GOING TO GO OR ISN'T GOING TO GO BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO CHANGE. >> Mike: THE ARCA RACE FRIDAY AND NATIONWIDE RACE SATURDAY, THE INSIDE LINE, THE SHORT WAY AROUND WAS THE FAST LANE FOR MOST OF THE RACE. BOTH DAYS. >> Darrell: THIS IS BUNCH OF GUYS RIGHT HERE TRYING TO SETTLE IN. GET ON THE BOTTOM, SINGLE FILE. TONY IS LEADING THEM AROUND HERE. GET A LITTLE, GET LAPS UNDER THE BELT. GET THE CARS SETTLED OUT A LITTLE BIT AND THEN WE GO FOUR-WIDE WHEN IT'S TIME. >> Mike: RYAN NEWMAN SETTLED IN TO FOURTH ON THE INSIDE. JUST AHEAD OF ARIC ALMIROLA NOW. AND GREG BIFFLE, JEFF GORDON, ON THE OUTSIDE LANE. >> Darrell: SEE HOW FAST WE'RE GOING DOWN THE BACK STRAIGHTAWAY. IT SHOULD BE PRETTY QUICK. YEAH. HOW ABOUT THAT, FOLKS? 200.02. >> Larry: IT IS NOT EVEN GOING BELOW 190 MILES PER HOUR IN THE CORNER. WHY? BECAUSE YOU'RE NEVER OFF THE THROTTLE. >> Mike: BACK TO THE TRIOVAL FOR THE FOURTH TIME. TONY STEWART CONTINUES TO PULL THE TRAIN AROUND TALLADEGA. THE LEAD DRAFT MORE THAN 30 CARS STRONG. KENSETH SITS IN SECOND. AMBROSE IN THIRD. NEWMAN IN FOURTH. 39. NOBODY MAKING A MOVE. BIFFLE IN FIFTH. BUT ARIC ALMIROLA WHO STARTED UP NEAR THE FRONT HAS BEEN SHUFFLED BACK. IN THE NUMBER 43. HE IS ON THE RIGHT OF YOUR SCREEN. THE CAR WITH THE WHITE NOSE. THERE HE IS RIGHT BEHIND RYAN NEWMAN. LOOKS TO THE MIDDLE. NEWMAN COMES UP. QUICKLY BIFFLE FILLS THE SPOT ON THE INSIDE. THEN EDWARDS. THEN MICHAEL WALTRIP. THEN EVERYBODY ELSE. >> Darrell: YOU KNOW NORMALLY AT DAYTONA, AND TALLADEGA WE HAVE WHAT WE CALL THE SUCKER HOLD. THAT IS THE GUY IN THE MIDDLEMENT FOR YOU'RE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE WITHOUT MUCH HELP YOU WILL GO WAY BACK BEFORE YOU GET TO THE LINE AND START ALL OVER AGAIN. >> Mike: THAT TIME, RYAN NEWMAN WENT WAY UP HIGH THROUGH THE TRIOVAL. HE IS GOING TO LOSE SIXTH PLACE AND BE UP THERE IN THE SLIDE LANE TOWARD THE BACK. >> Darrell: THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT TODAY. STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN. YOU GOING TO GET TO THE FRONT, SHUFFLE OUT, GO TO THE BACK. WORK YOUR WAY BACK. >> Mike: HE IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF JEFF GORDON, THE 24, STEVE, AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE BACK OF THE PACK. >> Steve: HE IS OKAY, MIKE. HE JUST SAID, "I'M TRYING TO KEEP THE NOSE CLEAN AND CLEAR. I CAN SEE THE TEMPS GOING UP. JUST TRYING TO KEEP THE NOSE CLEAN." >> Mike: BOBBY LABONTE SHOOTS THE MIDDLE UNDER JEFF GORDON. IN THE 47. RICHARDSON IN THE 23. THE RED CAR MAKING HIS FIRST CUP START OF THE YEAR. THAT IS RYAN NEWMAN. HE AND JAMIE McMURRAY WEARING THE SAME PAINT SCHEME TODAY. BUT McMURRAY NUMBER ON THE ROOF IS ORANGE. THE OTHER IS WHITE SO SPOTTERS CAN TELL THEM AMILE AWAY. >> Larry: RYAN NEWMAN IN THE 14th POSITION. HE MOVED TO TOP FIVE BEFORE LAP TWO BUT NOW BACK IN 28th SPOT. >> Mike: DENNY HAMLIN, PUSH COMES TO SHOVE RIGHT HERE DOWN THE BACKSTRETCH WITH THE 21 OF TREVOR BAYNE. THEY ARE PICKING UP SPEED. >> Darrell: THIS TRAFFIC RIGHT NOW IS LIKE 7:00 TRAFFIC ON THE WAY TO WORK. GIVE THIS GUY A BREAK, I'LL GET IN THAT LANE. YOU WAIT A WHILE AND IT BECOMES 8:00 TRAFFIC. >> Mike: WHEN THAT PAIR WAS HOOKED UP, THEY ARE 5 MILES PER HOUR QUICKER THAN THE CARS ON THE BOTTOM LANE. >> Larry: IT'S A LOT LIKE TWO TRAIN ENGINES HOOKED TOGETHER. THE AERO-DRAG DOESN'T GO UP BUT YOU DOUBLE THE HORSEPOWER WHEN YOU HOOK TOGETHER. >> Mike: BAYNE WITHOUT A PARTNER NOW DRIFTS TO THE BACK ON THE OUTSIDE. >> Darrell: THERE ARE GUYS FORMULATING A STRATEGY RIGHT NOW. THE POLE-SITTER MIGHT BE ONE OF THEM. I SEE A FEW OTHER GUYS THAT LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE GOT THAT I THINK I'LL HANG AROUND AT THE BACK FOR A WHILE. >> Larry: I THINK THE REPORT ON 24, JEFF GORDON, THE BIG STORY IS COOLING HERE. WITH THE RULES YOU HAVE, YOU DON'T WANT TO OVERHEAT THE ENGINE. ONCE YOU OVERHEAT IT, YOU MAY NEVER RECOVER FROM IT. >> Mike: BACK TO STEVE BYRNES. >> Steve: HE JUST ASKED HIS SPOTTER; JEFF GORDON, THAT, IS ASKED, "WHERE IS THE 48 AND THE 88?" THE RESPONSE WAS MIDPACK. GORDON SAID, "I DON'T WANT TO BE BACK HERE RIGHT NOW BUT I HAVE TO RIDE FOR A MINUTE." >> Darrell: HE WANTS TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE BECAUSE I THINK THEY WERE SAYING WE'LL GO WITH YOU. >> Mike: HARVICK HAS A HEAD OF STEAM. COMING OUT OF TURN NUMBER TWO ON THE OUTSIDE WITHOUT A LOT OF HELP, MATT. >> Matt: MIKE, A LOT OF CLEAN FRESH AIR IN FRONT. HE IS TRYING TO COOL THE ENGINE DOWN. HE SAID IT WAS 2:30 WHEN HE HAD A GOOD CUSHION IN FRONT SO THERE IS SOME CONCERN. WITHOUT A CAR IN FRONT AND RUNNING SO HOT IN THE 29 CAMP. >> Darrell: ONE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS PLACE, YOU CAN ACTUALLY PUT WATER IN YOUR CAR HERE AND NOT LOSE A LAP. THIS TAKES SO LONG TO MAKE A LAP UNDER CAUTION. SHOULD YOU GET RID OF A LOT OF WATER AND NEED TO DO THAT, I THINK THE TEAMS ARE PREPARED TO DO IT. >> Mike: NINE CLAPS COMPLETE. TONY STEWART HAS LED THEM ALL. THE LAST TIME WE WERE HERE, STEWART LED THE MOST LAPS AND FINISHED IN THE TOP 10. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> YOU ARE WATCHING NASCAR ON FOX. >>> THE AARON'S 499 ON FOX IS SPONSORED BY -- AARON'S. CREDIT IS HARD. AARON'S IS EASY. >> Mike: 13 LAPS OF 188 COMPLETE IN TALLADEGA. TONY STEWART HAS LED THEM ALL. ANOTHER PAST CUP CHAMPION BILL ELLIOTT HAS HIS CAR PUSHED TO THE GARAGE, JOINING JOE NEMECHEK, JOSH WISE, McDOWELL AND RAINES OUT OF THE RACE. >> Larry: WE GOT TWO GOLFING BUDDIES HOOKED UP ON THE TOP SIDE. MICHAEL WALTRIP IN THE 55, DENNY HAMLIN IN THE 11. THEY JUST KEEP CHIPPING AWAY. LITTLE BY LITTLE ON THE OUTSIDE LINE. >> Darrell: IT WAS WORKING REALLY, REALLY WELL, BARLEY, BUT I BELIEVE THE 11 GOT HOT. HE HAD TO GET OFF OF MICHAEL. THEY RUN THAT WAY THREE LAPS AND THAT'S ABOUT ALL YOU CAN GO RIGHT NOW. >> Mike: MICHAEL WALTRIP ADDRESSED HIS CREW IN PRE-RACE BEFORE THEY ROLLED OFF THE GRID. >> IT FEELS GOOD TO BE A PART OF THIS. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. I LOVE MY TV JOB, BUT TO GET TO THIS IS QUITE A PRIVILEGE. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU GUYS. A PRETTY AMAZING SIGHT, ALL THESE PEOPLE. >> Darrell: WHAT I SEE IS THEY WERE HOOKED UP TIGHT AND COMING TO THE FRONT ON THE OUTSIDE. 11 HAS TO GET OFF OF MIKE AND GET AIR IN THE RADIATOR. HE GOT TOO HOT. >> Larry: YOU CAN BET THEY LEARNED SOMETHING THERE FOR END OF THE RACE POSSIBLY. >> Darrell: LOOK, THEY WILL BE THREE-WIDE BEFORE THE DAY IS OVER WITH. THEY ARE GETTING THEIR WATER HOT RIGHT NOW. >> Mike: THE FIRST SIX CARS SINGLE-FILE UP FRONT HAVE NOT CHANGED. FOURTH AND FIFTH ROUSH FENWAY FORD TEAMMATES. POINT LEADER GREG BIFFLE AND LAST YEAR'S TITLE RUNNER-UP, CARL EDWARDS CONTINUE TO RUN TOGETHER. NOSE TO TAIL. >> I GOT A TECHNICAL QUESTION ABOUT THE ENGINE, BOB. IS IT BETTER TO RUN AT THREE-QUARTERS THROTTLE TO MAKE SURE OR BETTER TO KEEP IT WIDE OPEN AND USE THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN? >> YOU HAVE TO MANAGE THAT, WITH THE BRAKES BUT IDEALLY WIDE OPEN. USING THE BRAKES IS BETTER FOR THE ENGINE. >> Darrell: CROSS DOWN IN THE BACK OUT THERE. REGAN SMITH. >> Mike: A LOT OF SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. OF REGAN SMITH'S CHEVROLET. LAST YEAR'S DARLINGTON WINNER BRINGS OUT THE FIRST CAUTION OF THE DAY. WORKING LAP 16. >> Darrell: I JUST AM REALLY, REALLY CONCERNED MANAGING THE WATER TEMPS OF THE CARS. WE COULD SEE SOME FAILURES. >> Mike: RUNNING AT A TIGHT PACK THERE. UP IN SMOKE. >> Darrell: YEAH, I THINK IT EXPLODED. >> Larry: NOW THAT IS GOING TO MAKE THE CHILDRESS GROUP A LITTLE NERVOUS, BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THEIR ENGINES OUT OF THE EARNHARDT-CHILDRESS RACING ENGINE SHOP. THEY HAVE A LOT OF ENGINES IN THIS RACE. YOU CAN ALMOST BET, PROBABLY FROM OVERHEATING. >> Darrell: THAT IS MY FIRST GUESS. IT'S BEEN A CONCERN I HAVE. THESE GUYS ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH COOLING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP AN ENGINE TOGETHER ALL DAY. >> Mike: SMITH TOLD HIS CREW ON THE RADIO THAT THE WATER TEMP NEVER GOT IN THE DANGER ZONE. SO WE'RE NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT HAPPENED. BUT REGAN SMITH WILL GET HAULED BACK TO THE GARAGE AREA. SO FIRST PIT STOP OF THE DAY, WHAT WILL THEY DO? MATT? >> Matt: THE STRATEGY NOW IN TONY STEWART'S 14 PIT IS SIMPLY, THE GOODYEAR TIRE WEAR IS SO GOOD, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY TIRES AND JUST FUEL ONLY ON THIS FIRST STOP. DICK IN >> Dick: MATT KENSETH SAID NOTHING ON THE RADIO ABOUT THE VIBRATION THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT. HE'S BEEN HANGING OUT IN THIRD SPOT. STEVE? >> Steve: GREG BIFFLE SAYS HIS CAR IS QUICK, BUT IT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT FREE SO THEY WILL ADJUST THAT. KRISTA VODA? >> Krista: STEVE, MARTIN TRUEX SAYS HIS CAR IS BETTER THAN IT WAS IN PRACTICE BUT HE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT IT BEING WOBBLY, ESPECIALLY AT HIS DOOR ON THE BOTTOM. THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT A TWO-TIRE CHANGE ON THE STOP. >> Mike: THANK YOU, KRISTA. ALL 37 CARS RUNNING WERE ON THE LEAD LAPS, SO THERE WILL BE NO LUCKY DOG ON THE FIRST CAUTION. >> Larry: THEY HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. MOST OF THE DRIVERS ARE GOING TO GO WITH FUEL-ONLY. IT WILL GET VERY CONGESTED ON PIT ROAD. >> GO, GO, GO. ONE LANE. ONE LANE. BY THE 14. BY THE 14. >> CLEAR VIEW. >> Mike: JEFF GORDON, DAVID REUTIMANN HAVING A LITTLE TROUBLE GETTING IN THEIR PIT DEEP IN THE RUNNING ORDER. A CONSEQUENCE OF RUNNING BACK IN THE PACK. NICE STOP AS USUAL FOR THE KILLER "B"s OF MATT KENSETH'S CREW. >> Larry: THEY WENT WITH FUEL-ONLY. PIT SELECTION MAY HAVE HELPED WIN THAT BATTLE. >> Mike: NINE DRIVERS CHOSE NOT TO PIT. WE'LL UPDATE THOSE WHEN WE COME BACK. >>> THE AARON'S 499 IS SPONSORED BY -- >> Mike: TAKE A LOOK INSIDE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SPRINT CUP SERIES, BROUGHT TO YOU BY PRINT. ROOKIE JOSH WISE RAN THE FASTEST LAP OF THE RACE AND THEN AFTER ONE MORE LAP WENT TO THE GARAGE. TONY STEWART HAS LED THE MOST LAPS. 16 OF THE 18 SO FAR. GET UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SPRINT CUP SERIES WITH LIVE IN-CAR AUDIO AND REAL-TIME STATS FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP MOBILE APP ON YOUR ANDROID-POWERED DEVICE. ONLY ON THE SPRINT NETWORK. LEARN MORE AT SPRINT.COM/SPEED. >> Mike: A COUPLE OF ISSUES ON PIT STOPS. A.J. ALLMENDINGER, TOO FAST ON PIT ROAD. SERVES A PENALTY. AND CLINT BOWYER, A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE. LET'S REPLAY. >> Larry: CHANGE RIGHT SIDE TIRES IN CLINT'S CAR. >> Darrell: A FRESH WATER BOTTLE. >> Larry: ACTUALLY DOING FOUR TIRES ON CLINT BOWYER'S 15 CAR. >> Mike: HE STALLED. >> Larry: HE DID STALL. HE HAS TO RESET THE SYSTEM BEFORE THE ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. >> Darrell: HIS RIGHT HAND WENT TO MASTER KILL SWITCH. YOU TURN OFF EVERYTHING, KILL THE POWER AND TURN IT BACK ON. DOING IT AGAIN WITH THE RIGHT HAND. TURN IT BACK ON. THAT RESETS THE SYSTEM. SORT OF SOME OF THE PROCEDURE YOU HAVE TO GO TO WHEN YOU STALL THE ENGINE. >> Mike: ALL PORT OF LEARNING ABOUT THE NEW ELECTRONIC ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN USE IN NASCAR THIS YEAR, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION. A.J. ALLMENDINGER GIGED FOR SPEEDING ALONG WITH DAVID GILLILAND ON THE FIRST CAUTION FLAG. NOW WE MENTIONED NINE DRIVERS STAYED OUT WHEN THE REST OF THE LEAD LAP CARS PITTED. THEY HAVE NOW ALL COME TO PIT ROAD. DURING THE CYCLE, TRAVIS KVAPIL, PAUL MENARD EACH LED A LAP ALONG WITH MATT KENSETH WHO IS THE FRONT RUNNER RIGHT NOW AFTER PIT STOPS. >> Darrell: PERFECT TIME FOR A CAUTION. WE HAD RON, COMING TO 20 LAPS. KIND OF GOT A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT TEMPS, TALK ABOUT STRATEGY AND TALK ABOUT IF YOU NEED TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS. WE GOT A CAR SLOW ON PIT ROAD. >> Mike: THAT WILL BE THE 33 OF TONY RAINES, WHICH HAD BEEN IN THE GARAGE. NOW COMES BACK OUT. LAST SPRING, 88 LEAD CHANGES THERE WERE SEVEN LEAD CHANGES IN THE FIRST 15 LAPS. THIS YEAR NONE. WELL, JUST ONE. TONY STEWART WENT TO THE FRONT AND LED THE FIRST 15, AS MATT KENSETH AND GREG BIFFLE BRING THEM ACROSS TO THE GREEN FLAG. >> Darrell: THE ROUSH GUYS LINED UP ON THE OUTSIDE, ONE, TWO, THREE. THIS IS KIND OF WHAT WE WERE THINKING. ALSO THINKING THEY LEFT CARL HANGING. >> Larry: KENSETH IN THE 17, BIFFLE IN THE 16, DROPPED TO THE BOTTOM AND LEFT THE TEAMMATE CARL EDWARDS IN THE 99 UP TOP. >> Mike: NOW KENSETH MAY HAVE TOO BIG OF LEAD AS THE DUO OF STEWART AND AMBROSE COME TOWARD THE FRONT. BUT NO, STEWART DROPS IN BEHIND KENSETH. >> Darrell: YOU GO WITH THE BEST, YOU GO WITH YOUR BEST OPTION. YOU KNOW, THIS IS NO TIME FOR LOYALTY. YOU HAVE TO GO WITH WHO CAN TAKE YOU TO THE FRONT AND KEEP YOU THERE. >> Mike: WHAT IS THE 9 STUCK IN THE MIDDLE MARCOS AMBROSE TAKE AWAY FROM THAT? >> Darrell: BYE-BYE. DON'T GET IN THE MIDDLE. >> Mike: HAMLIN PICKS UP AMBROSE. HAMLIN, THE BLACK CAR. >> Darrell: CARL, ANYBODY, HELP ME! >> Larry: LOOK AT THE GUYS. FOUR WIDE COMING BACK ACROSS THE START/FINISH LINE. >> Darrell: TALLADEGA, BABY! TALLADEGA! THIS IS ALSO AFTER THE BREAK RIGHT THERE, THE TALK THINGS OVER. THINGS CAN GET DICEY, BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOTTEN COMFORTABLE NOW. TAKE A DEEP BREATH. YOU ARE READY TO DO SERIOUS RUBBING. I MEAN RACING. >> Larry: WE'RE SEEING JIMMIE JOHNSON IN THE 48 LOWE'S CAR WANTING TO PLAY A LITTLE BIT HERE. MAYBE BUILD SOME DATA FOR LATER IN THE RACE. HE IS GETTING A PUSH HERE. YOU CAN SEE IT FROM MARCOS AMBROSE IN THE 9 CAR. >> Mike: THAT IS SOMETHING THAT JOHNSON, AS HE SAID IN THE PRE-RACE, DID NOT DO ANY OF IN PRACTICE. WAS RUN IN TANDEM OR THE BIG PACKS. THEY MADE A LOT OF SINGLE-CAR RUNS. >> Darrell: LET ME TELL YOU. COMING THROUGH THE TRIOVAL AT 200 MILES PER HOUR IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PLACE ON THIS RACETRACK. YOU CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR QUICKER THERE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE RACETRACK. >> Larry: MARCOS AMBROSE IN THE 9 GETS STUCK UP THERE AT THE TOP BY HIMSELF. NO HELP FROM ANY OTHER DRIVER. >> Darrell: TRIED THE MIDDLE. THAT DON'T WORK. THE BACK. THAT DIDN'T WORK. >> Mike: BACK YOU GO WITH NO HELP. >> Larry: HE IS WAITING TO HEAR HIS SPOTTER -- I MEAN LOOK AT THE MILES PER HOUR DIFFERENCE. 10 MILES PER HOUR. >> GO ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM. >> Darrell: LIKE I SAID, IT'S ALL ABOUT STARTING OVER HERE. GET TO THE FRONT, MAKE A MISTAKE. GO TO THE BACK. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME? A LOT OF GUYS DO IT ON PURPOSE. CAN I GET BACK TO THE FRONT? >> Mike: REMEMBER THAT JEFF GORDON STRATEGY OF GETTING OUT TO THE BACK? THAT DIDN'T LAST LONG, DID IT? LINED UP ON JIMMIE JOHNSON'S BUMPER ABOUT FOUR CARS BACK ON THE OUTSIDE LANE. LED BY THE 55 OF MICHAEL WALTRIP AND THE 11 OF HAMLIN. >> Darrell: YOU CAN SEE THE 48, 24, 88, THEY MESSED AROUND DOWN HERE LAST YEAR AND GOT BEHIND. I DON'T THINK THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE TODAY. THAT IS THE OTHER THING, MIKE AFTER THE BREAK RIGHT. THERE YOU GET A FEEL FOR WHAT THE RACE IS GOING TO BE LIKE. WILD AND CRAZY OR SOMETHING THAT I CAN DEAL WITH? >> Mike: IN THE MIDST OF STORM SITS DALE EARNHARDT JR. MATT? >> Matt: WHEN THE RACE STARTED HE TOLD THE TEAM THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE FUN DAY. SO FAR ON THE OUTSIDE, RUNNING 11, HE SAID THE CAR WAS REALLY LOOSE ON THE FIRST RUN. THEY MADE AN ADJUSTMENT ON THE STOP. KRISTA? >> Krista: AS YOU KNOW AT THIS TRACK, YOU HEAR A SPOTTER'S VOICE MORE THAN YOU EVEN HEAR THE DRIVER'S VOICE. HE IS TALKING CONSTANTLY. HARD TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE LARYNGITIS. KASEY KAHNE'S SPOTTER KEVIN HAMLIN IS STRUGGLING. HE IS LOSING HIS VOICE. HE STARTED SPYING FOR KASEY A FEW RACES AGO AND KASEY LOVES HIM. BUT RIGHT NOW, KEVIN'S VOICE IS STRUGGLING. >> Mike: NEW LEADER MICHAEL WALTRIP. MICHAEL WALTRIP AND HAMLIN WORK TOGETHER TO OVERHAUL MATT KENSETH'S 17. AS THE OUTSIDE LANE BEGAN TO WORK. POWERED MICHAEL WALTRIP TO THE FRONT. >> Darrell: THIS IS A PART-TIME JOB FOR MICHAEL. RIGHT NOW, HE IS LOOKING TO SEE WHERE HIS WATER TEMP IS. THAT IS THE BIG CONCERN. WHAT WAS IT WHEN I WAS IN THE PACK AND WHAT IS IT WHEN I GET OUT IN FRONT IN CLEAN AIR? >> Larry: HE MIGHT HAVE A PART-TIME GIG. THIS IS HIS 52nd START HERE AT TALLADEGA. >> Darrell: THIS IS HIS CUP OF TEA, BABY. DAYTONA AND TALLADEGA. LOOKS PRETTY COMFORTABLE. THE CAR IS SMOOTH, NOT FIGHTING THE WHEEL. >> Mike: LOOKING BACK FROM MICHAEL IN DENNY HAMLIN AT SECOND. >> Larry: HE IS LOOKING OUT THE RIGHT SIDE AND HE SEES JIMMIE JOHNSON IN THE 48. HIS TEAMMATE JEFF GORDON. THEY KEEP CHIPPING AWAY, LIKE MICHAEL WALTRIP AND DENNY HAMLIN DID. >> Darrell: THEY CAN PUSH EACH OTHER FOR A COUPLE OF LAPS, REALLY TIGHT. THEN THEY GOT TO GET SEPARATION. BETWEEN THE 11 AND 55 OR 48 AND 24. YOU GOT TO GET AIR IN THE RADIATOR AND YOU GOT TO MANAGE THAT EVERY LAP. >> Mike: THIS YEAR, NASCAR LOWERED THE REAR SPOILER, LESS DOWNFORCE, LESS DRAG. BUT THEY ALSO NARROWED UP THE RADIATOR OPENING, LIMITED THE SIZE OF THE RADIATOR, PUT A PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE IN THE COOLING SYSTEM SO DRIVERS COULDN'T PUSH EACH OTHER ALL DAY. >> Darrell: THE OTHER THING WE DON'T TALK MUCH ABOUT BUT YOU SEE THE BACK BUMPER OF JEFF GORDON'S CAR, HOW CLOSE TO THE GROUND IT IS? THAT HAS BEEN EXTENDED NOW TO KEEP AIR COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR AND COOLING THE CAR BEHIND HIM. A LOT OF AERO GIMMICKS TRYING TO SEPARATE THE CARS. >> Larry: I THINK ONE REASON THAT JEFF GORDON IS SO GUN SHY, YOU TALK ABOUT THE RULES. REMEMBER, HE OVERHEATED AND LOST AN ENGINE IN THE DAYTONA 500 BECAUSE OF THAT. >> Darrell: I KNOW WHY HE IS GUN SHY. HE WAS UPSIDE DOWN AT DAYTONA. I DON'T THINK -- THAT IS THE FIRST TIME IT EVER HAPPENED TO HIM. >> Mike: THREE WIDE MIDDLE OF THE PACK. REUTIMANN UP TOP. LANDON CASSILL, 83, ARIC ALMIROLA ON THE BOTTOM, 43. LABONTE GOES UP HIGH. MAYBE TO PICK UP REUTIMANN HERE. WE'LL SEE. AMBROSE, STUCK IN THE MIDDLE IN THE NUMBER NINE, TRYING TO WORK BACK TO THE FRONT BUT IT'S A LONG WAY BACK. QUICK TO FALL, SLOW TO CLIMB IN THE BIG LONG DRAFTS AT TALLADEGA. 28 LAPS COMPLETE THIS TIME BY. MICHAEL WALTRIP HAS LED THE LAST FOUR. >> Mike: 32 LAPS COMPLETE AS THEY FLASH ACROSS THE STRIPE. MICHAEL WALTRIP LEADING, FROM MATT KENSETH, TONY STEWART, GREG BIFFLE AND JIMMIE JOHNSON. WALTTRIP NOW LED IN 21 OF HIS LAST 23 RACES AT TALLADEGA. BILL ELLIOTT RETURNED TO THE TRACK. HE IS THE BLACK CAR ON THE BOTTOM, AS WALTRIP AND HAMLIN FLASHES BY. HERE COMES THE 17 OF KENSETH. TO THE INSIDE, AS HAMLIN WORKS HIS WAY DOWN THE RACETRACK. GOT A LITTLE CLOSE THERE. >> Darrell: YES, IT DID. YOU CAN DEEM THAT A PASS BELOW THE LINE. I THINK HE WAS FORCED DOWN. THAT MAKES IT OKAY. WE GOT HIM FOUR WIDE OFF TURN TWO RIGHT THERE. >> Mike: HAMLIN, LOSS OF MOMENTUM AS EVERYBODY SCRAMBLED TO GET BACK IN LINE. DENNY HAMLIN FELL FROM SECOND TO 14. >> Darrell: WHEN YOU GO AROUND SOMEBODY LIKE THAT ON THE BOTTOM, IT CHANGES WHERE YOU WANT TO RUN. YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED. IT AFFECTED EVERYBODY. >> Larry: BUT YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE SPEED OF THE DRIVERS. THAT IS FOUR WIDE WELL OVER 195 MILES PER HOUR. >> Darrell: I THINK TREVOR BAYNE WAS VERY NICE TO JEFF GORDON IN THAT SITUATION. HE SHOULD BE. MAYBE HE OWED HIM A FAVOR. >> Larry: DAVID REUTIMANN IN THE 10 PUSHING OUR DAYTONA 500 WINNER FROM LAST YEAR, TREVOR BAYNE IN THE 21. >> Mike: WE LISTENED IN ON JEFF GORDON. >> ARE YOU SERIOUS? JUST GO BACK TO THE BACK. >> 10-4. KEEP THE COMPOSURE THERE. >> Mike: HE WASN'T PLEASED WITH THOMAS HAMILL GETTING -- HEWASN'T PLEASED WITH HAMLIN GETTING OUT OF LINE. >> Darrell: HE DON'T HEAR THAT MUCH FROM JEFF GORDON. KEEP YOUR COMPOSURE. HE'S USUALLY CALM AND COOL. THAT SHOWS THE INTENSITY OF THE RACING. >> Mike: HERE COMES JIMMIE JOHNSON ON THE OUTSIDE OF GREG BIFFLE SCRAMBLING FOR FOURTH PLACE. HE HAS DALE JR. BEHIND HIM. >> Darrell: ONE THING I NOTICE ABOUT THE PACKAGE, SOMEBODY IS GETTING AWAY. FRONT GUYS ARE UP THERE. EVERYBODY BACK IN BACK CAN KEEP UP. NOBODY HAS FALL THAN FAR BEHIND. >> Larry: IT IS INTERESTING WITH JIMMIE JOHNSON IN THE 48 CAR. YOU TALKED TO HIM IN THE PRE-RACE SHOW. WE TALKED ABOUT THE TOP OF THE SHOW THEY GOT BEHIND IN THE FALL HERE AND DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GET BACK THERE. I THINK HE USED THAT FIRST RUN TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HE HAD IN THE RACECAR. >> Darrell: YEAH. I KNOW DALE JR. WAS UPSET THEY STAYED AT THE BACK ALL DAY LONG. HE FELT LIKE THAT WAS TOO LONG. YOU CAN SEE THEY'RE WORKING TO GET THE LEAD. >> Mike: 21 CARS IN THE LEAD PACK. AS THE INSIDE LANE CARS LOOK COUPLED TOGETHER. >> Darrell: BUT IT LOOKED LIKE -- I ALMOST LOOKED LIKE THE INSIDE LINE SLOWED IN TURN TWO. LOOK AT KENSETH. I DON'T KNOW. THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON. DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT. >> Larry: DARRELL, THE MATT KENSETH IN THE 17 HAS BEEN BACK THERE FOR A WHILE. THE 17 CAR MAY BE STARTING TO OVERHEAT A LITTLE BIT. >> Darrell: WE KNOW THE FORDS HAVE A GOOD COOLING SYSTEM. THE BEST OF ALL THE CARS IN THE FIELD. HE CAN STAY THERE LONGER THAN ANYBODY. DICK, ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT THE TEMPS GOING UP? >> Dick: THEY ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE TEMPS ON MATT KENSETH'S CAR RIGHT NOW BUT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE CHASSIS ADJUSTMENT. OFTEN KENSETH DESCRIBES THE BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR TO HIS CREW CHIEF, JIMMY FENNIG TO SET THE ADJUSTMENT. THIS TIME KENSETH TOLD HIM WHAT HE WANTS. >> Larry: REMEMBER, MATT KENSETH, ONE OF THE DRIVERS THAT DID NOT TAKE TIRES ON THE LAST STOP. FUEL-ONLY. GETTING A LOT OF LAPS ON THE TIRES NOW. >> Darrell: AT THE SPEED WE'RE RUNNING AND YOU SEE THE SPOILER ON THE 16 CAR? IT'S SMALLER THAN WHAT WE'RE ACCUSTOMED TO RUNNING HERE. HANDLING IS A BIG, BIG FACTOR. >> Mike: 37 LAPS COMPLETE. WALTRIP OUT FRONT. TONY STEWART GOT A BUMP FROM GREG BIFFLE AS THEY CAME ACROSS THE LINE. >> Darrell: THEY WERE WALTING TOGETHER WHEN THEY CAME ACROSS -- WALTZING TOGETHER WHEN THEY CAME ACROSS HERE. >> Mike: THREE WIDE BEHIND THEM FROM 12 ON BACK. BAYNE, BURTON, HAMLIN ON THE OUTSIDE IN THE 11. >> Mike: WALTRIP LEADING IN THE RUNNING ORDER AT 37 LAPS. KYLE BUSCH AND DENNY HAMLIN IN THE TOP DOZEN. LANDON CASSILL, 15th. >> Darrell: JUST THINK, HAMLIN WAS WITH MICHAEL AND SHUFFLED OUT AND WENT ALL THE WAY BACK TO 11th. >> Mike: JIMMIE JOHNSON IN THE OUTSIDE LANE HAVE FALLEN WELL BACK. EVEN WITH SEVENTH PLACE. >> Darrell: I REALLY THINK, MIKE, THAT IS A PRODUCT OF COOLING. THE GUY CAN'T STAY ON YOU OVER THREE OR FOUR LAPS. YOU GOT TO GET SEPARATION TO GET AIR TO THE RADIATOR. >> Mike: KYLE BUSCH UP AGAINST BRAD KESELOWSKI. DODGE AND TOYOTA WORKING TOGETHER. ANOTHER RULE CHANGE THIS YEAR IS THAT DRIVERS NO LONGER CAN DIAL UP ANOTHER DRIVER ON THEIR IN-CAR RADIO. TEAMS HAVE TO RELAY MESSAGES ACROSS. THE SPOTTERS ARE ALONG PIT ROAD. NO MORE DRIVER TO DRIVER COMMUNICATION. >> Darrell: HANDLING IS BECOMING AN ISSUE FOR SOME OF THE CARS. THE PACE SLOWED A LITTLE BIT. THE CARS ARE MOVING AROUND A LITTLE BIT MORE. I THINK HANDLE WILLING BE A BIGGER FACTOR THAN WE THOUGHT IN THE PAST. >> Larry: BY THE WAY, I THINK THE SUN IS COMING OUT. THAT IS GOING TO HEAT THINGS UP. >> Darrell: WELL, IT'S COMING OUT TOMORROW. >> Mike: MICHAEL WALTRIP IN FRONT OF KENSETH AND TONY STEWART >>> THE AARON'S 499 ON FOX IS SPONSORED BY -- BUDWEISER. GREAT TIMES ARE WAITING. GRAB SOME BUDS. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Mike: 43 LAPS COMPLETE AS YOU RIDE ALONG WITH KEVIN HARVICK. NOTE THE THERMOMETER UP THERE AT THE HEAD REST LEVEL. 108.9-DEGREES. THINK ABOUT WHAT THE FLOORBOARDS ARE PUTTING OUT. >> Darrell: A LOT OF DRIVERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT HEAT IN THE COCKPIT. WE SAW CLINT BOWYER, 20 LAPS IN THE RACE, WE GOT RYAN NEWMAN OFF THE PACE HERE GOING DOWN THE BACK IT LOOKS LIKE. NO, HE IS COMING DOWN PIT ROAD. >> Larry: RYAN, THE MARTINSVILLE WINNER COMES IN HERE TEN IN THE POINTS. YOU CAN SEE STEVE BYRNES, WE ARE SEEING THE WATER SPIT OUT AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT SEEMS LIKE HE IS OVERHEATING. >> Steve: THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING, LARRY Mac. THE CREW ALREADY HEADING TO THE GARAGE AREA. THAT IS WHERE THEY WILL MEET RYAN NEWMAN. >> Mike: NEWMAN MAY BE THE FIRST OR SECOND VICTIM OF ENGINE OVERHEATING IN THE RACE, WHICH IS ONLY 44 OF 188 LAPS OLD. GO DOWN STAIRS FOR MORE ON THE TOPIC, JEFF HAMMOND. >> Jeff: WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT HOW HOT IT IS TODAY. WITH THE SUN COMING OUT, THEY WILL RUN HARDER YET. WE SAW AT DAYTONA, KENSETH AND HIS TEAM CAME DOWN PIT ROAD AND PUT IN WATER AND WENT ON TO WIN THE RACE. THAT IS WHAT WE'LL THE WITH THE PROBLEM ON MARTIN TRUEX. COME DOWN PIT ROAD, THEY WILL TAKE THIS APPARATUS. LIFT UP A LITTLE BIT OF A FLAP DOOR, PUT IT IN. PUT PRESSURE IN THE TANK AND COOL THE ENGINE DOWN AN HOPEFULLY GO ON TO HAVE A GOOD FINISH OR GO TO VICTORY LANE, GUYS. >> Mike: THANK YOU, JEFF. JIMMIE JOHNSON NOT COOLING DOWN. HE IS ON A HOT STREAK. RIDING THE OUTSIDE WITH DALE EARNHARDT JR., AND KURT BUSCH. DENNY HAMLIN TRYING TO ARREST THE LEAD FROM MICHAEL WALTRIP'S 55. >> Darrell: I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE INSIDE LINE. A COUPLE OF TIMES, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY SLOWED A LITTLE BIT AND THE OUTSIDE LINE IS PICKING UP MOMENTUM. JOHNSON IS THERE. >> Larry: GIVE JIMMIE JOHNSON CREDIT IN THE 48. THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN UP ON THE OUTSIDE LINE. THEY HAVE BEEN AT IT FOR TEN OR 15 LAPS. THEY WILL GET THE LEAD ON THE BACK STRAIGHTAWAY. >> Darrell: HE GOT HELP FROM A TEAMMATE. IT'S ALL ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS, BUDDY. >> Mike: THE LAST TIME MICHAEL WALTRIP LED MORE THAN 15 LAPS HERE HE WON. SEPTEMBER 2003. >> Darrell: HE SHOULDN'T BE HAVING HEATING ISSUES BECAUSE HE HAD ALL THE CLEAN AIR FOR SEVERAL LAPS. >> Mike: HERE COMES FIVE-TIME. JIMMIE JOHNSON. WILL LEAD LAP 46. >> Larry: DARRELL, I HAVE TO BELIEVE THEY WILL DROP TO BOTTOM ONCE THEY CLEARED THAT GROUP. >> Darrell: YEAH. RIGHT TO THE BOTTOM. LET SOMEBODY ELSE MAKE THE OUTSIDE WORK. IT WORKED FOR US. >> Mike: BIFFLE, AMBROSE, REUTIMANN. THREE AINTEREST. THE DODGE MOVING IN. ALLMENDINGER. >> Darrell: TO THE COCKPIT TEMPERATURE, YOU HAVE TO KEEP THE DRIVER HYDRATED. BOWYER GAVE HIM A FRESH BOTTLE OF WATER AFTER 20 LAPS. KEEP THE DRIVER HYDRATED. IT'S LIKE SETTING IN A HOT SAUNA. OH, MARCUS, HE JUST GETS HUNG UP IN THAT MIDDLE. THIS JUST ISN'T GOING TO WORK FOR YOU, SON. >> Larry: YEAH, THE 9 CAR, MARCOS AMBROSE. IT SEEMS LIKE HE IS ALWAYS AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME. >> Mike: HE IS TRYING TO SNIFF A DRAFT OFF THE 24 OF JEFF GORDON. BACK THERE AT 12th PLACE. >> Darrell: I THINK JEFF GORDON HAS HIS RADAR ON. I THINK HE IS JUST WATCHING THINGS. I DON'T THINK HE WANTS TO GET UP THERE AND GET IN ANYTHING NOW. HE IS WATCHING. >> THE OUTSIDE LINE TO ORGANIZE AGAIN. >> SEE IF WE JUST DID IT. >> Larry: IT SOUNDS LIKE HE WANTS TO TRY WHAT JIMMIE JOHNSON AND DALE EARNHARDT JR. HIS TEAMMATE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH, GET ORGANIZED THERE ON THE OUTSIDE TO SEE IF WE CAN GO TO THE FRONT. >> Mike: 18 CARS TRYING TO BREAK AWAY IN THE LEAD DRAFT. 48 LAPS COMPLETE IN THE AARON'S 499 AT TALLADEGA. WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THIS. >> Mike: WANT A CHANCE TO INTRODUCE A DRIVER AT THE ALL-STAR RACE MAY 189 AT CHARLOTTE. GO TO SPRINT.COM/SPEED TO FIND OUT HOW. MATT KENSETH. THE DAYTONA 500 WINNER HAS COME TO THE LEAD. AND JEFF GORDON WITH MARCOS AMBROSE, FOUGHT THEIR WAY BACK TO THE FRONT. >> Darrell: YEAH, MARCOS GOT OUT OF THE SUCKER HOLE, FOUND A BUDDY AND THEY HAVE GONE TO THE FRONT. >> Mike: KENSETH COMES UP TOP-SIDE TO PICK UP GORDON. >> Larry: MATT KENSETH, OUR DAYTONA 500 WINNER, HAS 24 STARTS HERE. HE SAID HE ALWAYS DREADS COMING HERE. BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE LOOKED FORWARD TO IT. I THINK WE ARE SOMEWHAT SEEING WHY. MATT KENSETH. >> Darrell: YOU KNOW WHEN HE STARTED LOOKING FORWARD TO IT? WHEN THE CHECKERED FLAG FELL AT DAYTONA. HE SAID I THINK WE GOT SOMETHING HERE, BOYS. >> Mike: KENSETH LED EIGHT OF THE 52 LAPS SO FAR. DROP BACK TO SIXTH PLACE. DALE JR. MATT? >> Matt: FOURTH IN LINE ON THE INSIDE. JUNIOR MAKING IT LOOK EASY. THE COMMENTS FROM THE COCKPIT, LIKE OTHERS, THE CAR ABSOLUTELY ON THE LOOSE SIDE. HE SAID IT'S RATTLING. LOOK FOR JUNIOR AND A HOST OF OTHERS TO PIT ON 60-61. >> Mike: SIDE-BY-SIDE, THE I WANT TO GO FAST PAINT JOB YOU MAY HAVE SEEN BEFORE. 2006 MOVIE "TALLADEGA NIGHTS" WITH WILL FERRELL, WHEN FERRELL LOST THE RIDE AND HIS SPONSOR HE SAID, "I CAN ONLY BELIEVE IN ME." THE JAMES FINCH TEAM NEEDS A SPONSOR AND SO DOES KURT BUSCH. WITH THE CUE GOR ON THE HOOD, THERE IS COUGAR ON THE HOOD, RAISING AWARENESS FOR THE ARMED FORCES FOUNDATION AND LOOKING FOR A SPONSOR. HOW ABOUT THAT? >> Darrell: EVERY TRIED TO RACE WITH A COUGAR IN THE CAR? >> Larry: DON'T THINK I WANT TO. >> Mike: DICK BERGGREN? >> Dick: KURT BUSCH HAS DRIVEN THE CAR FROM 33rd UP TO THIRD PLACE AT ONE POINT, MIKE. BEAR IN MIND THAT THIS TEAM IS A VERY SMALL TEAM. THEY LOST TWO OF THE BEST CARS IN WRECKS AT DAYTONA. THIS IS THE THIRD CAR IN LINE. WASN'T FAST. TIME TRIAL TRIM. BUT THEY PROMISED IT WILL BE FAST IN THE RACE. IT IS. >> Darrell: ONE THING I'M NOTICING IS THE LAP TIMES CONTINUE TO SLOW. A LITTLE BIT EVERY LAP. I REALLY THINK THE GUYS ARE GOING TO THINK FOUR TIRES INSTEAD OF TWO. I THINK HANDLING AS THE TRACK IS RUBBERED BACK IN, THAT WILL BECOME A BIG FACTOR. >> Mike: WATCH BLANEY FROM HARVICK. BIFFLE ON THE BOTTOM. KYLE BUSCH IN THE MIDDLE AS THEY COME ACROSS THREE RIDE. THAT'S BACK IN TENTH PLACE. SPOTTERS PLAY A KEY ROLE. LOCATED TOP THE TRIOVAL AND BACK STRETCH. KASEY KAHNE HAVING SPOTTER ISSUES. KRISTA? >> Krista: AS I REPORTED EARLIER IN THE RACE, HAMLIN, THE SPOTTER THAT KASEY HAS BEEN USING HAS LARYNGITIS. AS THE RACE WENT ON THE VOICE GOT WORSE. AT ONE POINT HE CAME ON THE RADIO AND KASEY SAID, "WHAT DID YOU SAY?" THEY CHANGED SPOTTER. KASEY USING JOE NEMECHEK'S SPOTTER, CLAYTON SPREWELL. >> Larry: KASEY HAD THREE SPOTTERS THIS YEAR AND THIS STARTED WHEN HE HAD HIS ISSUE AT BRISTOL A MONTH-AND-A-HALF AGO. >> Darrell: LARRY, DO YOU KNOW HOW I KNOW THINGS ARE SLOWING DOWN A LITTLE BIT? THE WHOLE GROUP THAT WAS WAY BACK IS CAUGHT UP WITH THE BACK OF THE PACK HERE. THEY'RE GETTING BOTTLED UP ALL OF A SUDDEN. >> Larry: THAT WILL MAKE IT INTERESTED. AS MATT YOCUM REPORTED WE ARE THREE TO FIVE LAPS BEFORE THE GREEN FLAG PIT STOPS. WE HAVE 25 DRIVERS RUNNING WITHIN TWO SECONDS OF EACH OTHER. >> Mike: RYAN NEWMAN'S CREW LOOKING AT THE DATA ON THE LAPTOP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. TO PUT HIM IN THE GARAGE. 57 DOWN. MATT KENSETH, YOUR LEADER. >> Darrell: I'VE BEEN WATCHING CLOSE. I DON'T SEE WATER COMING OUT OF ANYBODY'S CAR. I DON'T SEE THE PRESSURE RELIEFS, POPPING THOSE YET. >> Larry: DARRELL, THE DRIVERS, THEY REALLY HAVE TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE I THINK THE FIRST DRIVER TO COME TO PIT ROAD UNDER A GREEN FLAG PIT STOP, DENNY HAMLIN IN THE 11 AT LAP 57. YOU REALLY HAVE TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER WITH THE HAND SIGNALS IN THE GREEN FLAG STOPS. >> Mike: A LITTLE LESS THAN 40 LAPS IN THIS RUN. >> Krista: ON THE LAST STOP, THEY MADE A TWO-TIRE CHANGE. DENNY COMPLAINING ABOUT THE STEERING ISSUE. HE SAID THE RACECAR HAS BEEN GOOD. HE HAS GOTTEN HUNG OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES. HE IS A GUY TRYING TO WORK THE HIGH LINE. >> Darrell: YOU WORK OUT THE TOE. YOU TRY TO RUN AS LITTLE AS YOU CAN. >> Mike: TAKERS ON PIT ROAD. AS WE WORK THROUGH LAP 58. QUITE A BACKUP THERE. GREEN FLAG PIT STOPS! SEVEN CARS ARE IN. MATT? >> Matt: THE FIRST CAR TO PIT, AND ALTHOUGH HE WAS IN THE BOTTOM LANE HE FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS BETTER IN THE HIGH LANE. THEY TOOK FUEL ONLY ON THE FIRST STOP. STEVE? >> Steve: EARLY IN THE RACE, BRAD KESELOWSKI SAID THE CAR WAS HANDLING VERY WELL, BUT JUST NOW HE SAID THIS CAR IS REALLY STRUGGLING. IT'S FREE ON ENTRY. AND WAY TOO TIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. AS THE BOYS SUGGESTED FOUR TIRES FOR BRAD KESELOWSKI. >> Mike: JOEY LOGANO PITTED WITH ALLMENDINGER, CASSILL, KVAPIL. THAT IS RICHARDSON. AND ANOTHER GAGGLE. LOCKING THEM UP COMING ON TO PIT ROAD. McMURRAY AND MONTOYA TEAMMATES LEAD A GROUP IN THAT INCLUDES BOWYER, TRUEX AND MORE. >> Larry: PRETTY MUCH HAVING TO STAY THERE FOR TWO CANS OF FUEL, 19-1/2 GALLONS IS LOCKING THE TIRES UP. I THINK ALL THE DRIVERS, STEVE, PROBABLY WILL GET 24. IT LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE DIFFERENT STRATEGY, THOUGH. >> Steve: JEFF GORDON ON PIT ROAD WILL TAKE THE LEFT SIDE TIRES ONLY WITH FUEL. LEFT SIDE ONLY FOR JEFF GORDON. >> Larry: JEFF GORDON GOT RIGHT SIDE TIRES ON THE FIRST PIT STOP HE MADE. >> Mike: HE LEADS McMURRAY AND KAHNE OFF PIT ROAD. ALONG WITH GILLILAND, BOWYER, MEARS. AND OTHERS. THE LEADERS, AND DICK BERGGREN. >> Dick: MATT KENSETH TOOK NO FRESH TIRES ON HIS FIRST PIT STOP. HE IS IN RIGHT NOW. MATT? >> Matt: THE 88 OF DALE EARNHARDT JR. IS IN. HIS CAR IS EXTREMELY LOOSE. THEY WILL MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT, AS WELL AS TONY STEWART. HE SAID MAKE A BIG-TIME SWING. STEVE? >> Steve: EXPECTING THE 48 OF JIMMIE JOHNSON TO GET THE RIGHT-SIDE TIRES ON THE CREW CHIEF CHAD KNAUS IMPLORING HIM TO COME IN THE PITS EASY. DICK? >> Dick: WELL, CARL EDWARDS ALSO ON PIT ROAD RIGHT NOW. STARTED IN THE TENTH POSITION. GOT SHUFFLED OUT EARLY IN THE RACE. VERY ANNOYED ABOUT THAT. HE HAS BEEN WORKING HIS WAY FORWARD EVER SINCE. >> Mike: ONLY ONE DRIVER HAS NOT STOPPED. THAT IS JEFF BURTON FOR RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING ON THE LEFT OF THE SCREEN. NOW YOU SEE BURTON COMING IN. AFTER HE GAINS A BONUS POINT FOR LEADING A LAP. >> Darrell: IT SEEMS LIKE A SMART MOVE THERE TO TAKE FOUR TIRES. I'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF GUYS HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE FUEL TO FINISH UP IN THE CAR. THEY COULD HAVE EASILY PUT ON FOUR TIRES. >> Larry: ABSOLUTELY. ESPECIALLY TAKING A CHANCE AS WE SAW MANY DRIVERS DO, SLIDING THEM COMING IN. >> Mike: WE'LL CYCLE AROUND TO JIMMIE JOHNSON AS THE NEW LEADER. NOW WE COMPLETED THE FIRST ROUND OF GREEN FLAG PIT STOPS TODAY. 60 LAPS IN TO THE AARON'S 499. GETTING FROM 200 MILES PER HOUR DOWN TO 55 TAKES A GOOD BIT OF LOCKUP HERE. >>> THE AARON'S 499'S IS SPONSORED BY -- >> Mike: 64 LAPS COMPLETE. JUST PAST ONE-THIRD DISTANCE. DALE EARNHARDT JR., THE FOUR-CAR BREAK-AWAY. HERE IS WHAT IS FRESH OFF THE WIRE. >> SMOKING, I'M GLO GLOW -- BLOWING UP, GUYS. >> GET OFF THE TRACK THERE. ARE YOU SURE, JIMMIE? >> YEAH. SMOKING, IT'S NOT RUNNING. I'M WIDE OPEN. >> 10-4. >> Mike: THAT'S WHY FRESH OFF THE WIRE SERVED TO YOU BY KFC. COME IN AND TASTE WHY FRESH IS BETTER. STEVE, HE WAS LEADING THE RACE. WHAT LET GO? >> Steve: YOU SEE THE CAR BEING PUSHED BACK IN THE GARAGE AREA. HE CAME DOWN PIT ROAD, LOTS OF WHITE SMOKE. THE HOOD WENT UP. CHAD KNAUS TOLD JIMMIE JOHNSON HE SAYS IT LOOKS LIKE WE BROKE A BELT. JIMMIE SAID, I FEEL LIKE OIL PUMP SEIZED UP. SO THEY ARE GOING BACK TO THE GARAGE. CHAD'S LAST COMMENT WAS WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN CHANGE THAT BELT. THAT IS THE ISSUE ON THE 48. >> Darrell: I WAS LOOKING AT THE INCAR SHOT. I DIDN'T SEE GAUGES FLASHING, WHICH IS INDICATION OF A LEADING ISSUE. IT DIDN'T SEE THAT. IT MAY BE SOMETHING MECHANICAL. RYAN NEWMAN HAD A HENDRICK ENGINE AS WELL. >> Mike: JOHNSON PUSHED BACK THERE. NEARLY # 0-DEGREES AND EXTREMELY MUGGY -- 90-DEGREES AND EXTREMELY MUGGY TODAY IN ALABAMA. >> Larry: THINK ABOUT JIMMIE JOHNSON. CRASHES ON LAP TWO OF THE DAYTONA 500. FINISHES 42. HE CLICKED OFF AFTER THAT EIGHT CONSECUTIVE TOP 12 FINISHES. WORKED HIS WAY TO SIX IN THE POINTS. >> Mike: HE WILL HAVE TO REBOUND FROM THIS. THE FOUR-CAR BREAK-AWAY IS NO MORE. HE CHANGED DOWN DALE EARNHARDT JR. GOING TO THE OUTSIDE WITH KYLE BUSCH. AND LANDON CASSILL IN THE BOTTOM LANE, TONY STEWART. AND GREG BIFFLE LINE UP BEHIND THE FRONT DUO THERE. >> Darrell: REMEMBER A FEW YEARS AGO WE CALLED 88 OF DALE EARNHARDT JR. THE PIED PIPER. SEE IF THEY WANT TO PLAY THE GAME OR NOT. >> Larry: THAT IS THE TWO DRIVERS THAT BATTLED IT OUT FOR THE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. MATT KENSETH ENDED UP WINNING THAT YEAR AS FAR AS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. >> Darrell: DALE JR. HIT HIM RIGHT THERE. FINISHED THE DAYTONA 500. THE SAME TWO CARS. KASEY KAHNE AGAIN. >> Mike: EVERYBODY LOOKING FOR DRAFTING HELP AND CLEAN AIR THE SAME TIME. >> Darrell: THAT TIME BY, DALE EARNHARDT JR. RAN 48 HADN'T 47. KENSETH 48.58. THE THIRD PLACE CAR OF GORDON WAS A 4.02. .5 SLOWER. >> Mike: JIMMIE JOHNSON IS CLIMBING OUT TO DEBRIEF WITH RYAN NEWMAN. >> Mike: DENNY HAMLIN WAS UP WITH THE LEADERS BUT NOW FINDS HIMSELF BACK IN 32nd PLACE. VERY DEEP IN THE RUNNING ORDER. STILL ON THE LEAD LAP. 19 SECONDS OUT OF THE LEAD. >> Larry: THE FIRST DRIVER TO HIT PIT ROAD. BUT OF ALL THE DRIVERS THAT GOT FOUR TIRES HE HAD THE SLOWEST STOP OF ANY OTHER DRIVER. YOU SEE THE PROBLEM ON THE LEFT SIDE. THEY COULDN'T GET THE LEFT FRONT ON. NOW HE FOUND DAVID REUTIMANN TO HOOK UP WITH. CERTAINLY DENNY HAMLIN NEEDS A CAUTION. 22 THAT PIT STOP FIVE TO SIX SECONDS SLOWER THAN MOST OF THE OTHER DRIVERS. >> Darrell: THE WAY THE SHOCK PACKAGE IS ON THE FRONT OF THE CARS, IT WILL NOT LET THE TIRE DROPPED DOWN. THE SHOCK ACTUALLY HOLDS IT UNDER THE CAR LIKE THAT AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO GET IT OUT. >> Mike: FOUR EXTRA SECONDS HERE. THAT IS A QUARTER OF A MILE. >> Larry: HE HAD TO RUN A BUNCH OF LAPS BY HIMSELF. THEY WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY SLOWER THAN THE PACK. >> Mike: 70 LAPS COMPLETE THIS TIME BY. IT WILL BE 118 TO GO. NASCAR'S FAN FAVORITE, DALE EARNHARDT JR., OUT FRONT. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> YOU'RE WATCHING NASCAR ON FOX. >>> THE AARON'S 499 IS SPONSORED BY -- >> Chris: LIVE AT TALLADEGA. TIME FOR AN AT&T RACE BREAK. SPORT OF THE 200 R -- JUST SHORT OF THE 200-MILE MARK IN THE 500-MILE RACE OF THE SUPERSPEEDWAY. FOR THE FOURTH TIME THIS YEAR, DALE JR. LEADING IN A RACE CAME IN SECOND IN POINTS LOOKING FOR HIS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON. BUT ANOTHER LEAD CHANGE HERE. AS MATT KENSETH WINNER OF THE DAYTONA 500 AND THE 17 FORD MOMENTS AGO GETTING OUT IN FRONT OF JUNIOR. YOU WILL NOTICE WHERE JEFF GORDON IS AS WELL. JUNIOR SLIPPING ALL THE WAY BACK TO 15th. SO FAR, THE FIRST 100 MILES OF THIS RACE, WE HAVE HAD SIX DIFFERENT LEADERS, AND SIX DIFFERENT RACE TEAMS GOING FROM FRONT TO BACK. OVERALL NOW, TEN LEAD CHANGES AND EIGHT DIFFERENT LEADERS. DALE EARNHARDT JR. ALL THE WAY BACK TO 19th. THAT IS HOW QUICKLY YOU CAN GO FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK. MEANWHILE, TEAMMATE HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS, JIMMIE JOHNSON BEHIND THE WALL. JEFF HAMMOND IS WITH HIM. >> Jeff: THANKS, CHRIS. JIMMIE, YOU SAID THE CAR WAS RUNNING REALLY WELL. WHAT HAPPENED? >> WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PRESSURE THERE. DON'T REALLY KNOW WHY JUST YET. UNFORTUNATELY, THE 39 IS IN HERE WITH A SIMILAR ISSUE. I AM HOPING THAT OUR TEAMMATES THE OTHER HENDRICK ENGINES THROUGHOUT DON'T HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE OIL PUMP. BUT THE OIL PRESSURE SITUATION, WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS IT YET. THEY'RE WORKING ON IT. THE CAR STILL SPINS OVER SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THINGS, FIND OUT WHAT WENT WRONG AND GET ON THE TRACK AND GET POINTS. BUMMER. WE HAD A GREAT RACECAR AND LEADING THE RACE. >> Jeff: THANKS. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE TO DIG OUT ANOTHER HOLE AT SUPERSPEEDWAY. >> Chris: IT CAN HAPPEN HERE. THANK YOU, JEFF, JIMMIE. THAT'S WHY CLINT BOWYER WHO WON TWO OF THE LAST THREE TALLADEGA RACES HAD A PIT STALL PROBLEM EARLIER, HANGING AROUND 28, 29. NOT A LOT OF PANIC. TIME HE CAN MOVE UP, JUST LIKE TONY STEWART WHO LED THE FIRST 16 LAPS OF THE RACE HAD TO GO BACK. HE IS AWAY THAT HE CAN LEAD AND HANDLE THE FRONT. MAYBE HE WANTS TO TEST AS HE TOLD US ON THE PRE-RACE SHOW, THE FIRST 50 TO 75 LAPS, SEE HOW HE FIGURES IN THE RACE. IT SEEMS LIKE TONY HAS IT FIGURED OUT. CHECK THE DRIVERS AT THE AT&T FASTEST DRIVER CHALLENGE. YOU CAN TEXT "FAST" TO 34763 TO PLAY. OR VISIT AT&TFASTESTDRIVER.COM FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 4Gs. BOUGHT TO YOU BY THE NATION'S LARGEST 4G NETWORK. RETHINK POSSIBLE. BACK UPSTAIRS, DARRELL, AND LARRY. MATT KENSETH GOOD AT DAYTONA RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACES, AS YOU POINTED OUT. NUMBER ONE HERE AT DAYTONA BUT IN A GROOVE TODAY. >> Darrell: YOU KNOW, CHRIS, HE WAS SO ANXIOUS TO GET TO TALLADEGA WITH THIS CAR. WON DAYTONA. THEY HAVE A GREAT PACKAGE FOR THE SPEEDWAYS RIGHT NOW. THE FORD GUYS DO, CERTAINLY KENSETH. >> Mike: 78 COMPLETE WITH MATT KENSETH OUT FRONT. CHALLENGED FROM MICHAEL WALTRIP ON THE OUTSIDE. HERE IS THE FORD F-150 ECOBOOST TRACK FACTS FOR TALLADEGA. 18 WINS FOR FORD. AND THE WORLD'S FASTEST SPEEDWAY. FORD LED THE POINT STANDING AFTER EIGHT OF THE NINE RACES IN 2012. AND JAMIE MAC WAS THE LAST DRIVER TO WIN HERE IN A FORD. JIMMIE JOHNSON HAD ONLY ONE ENGINE DNF IN THE LAST 141 RACES GOING IN TO TODAY. SO A RARE PROBLEM FOR HIM. KENSETH CONTINUES TO HAUL KURT BUSCH AROUND THE SPEEDWAY WITH KASEY KAHNE AND TONY STEWART. >> Darrell: THESE RESTRICTOR-PLATE ENGINES ARE FINICKY ENGINES. THEY RUN THE OIL PRESSURE AS LOW AS THEY THINK THEY POSSIBLY CAN. IT CUTS DOWN ON THE TURBULENCE INSIDE THE ENGINE. DRAGGING FRICTION ON THE RESTRICTOR-PLATE ENGINES IS A HUGE THING. THE ENGINE BUILDERS CONCENTRATE ON. >> Larry: I HAVE BEEN WATCHING MICHAEL WALTRIP IN THE 55 CAR. HE LOST HIS FRIEND HAMLIN IN THE 11 THROUGH THE PIT STOP BUT FOUND A NEW FRIEND. A.J. ALLMENDINGER WHO HAD A PENALTY ON THE FIRST CAUTION FOR SPEEDING ON SPEEDING ON PIT ROAD. A.J. WORKED HIS WAY BACK UP THERE. >> Mike: THERE IS THE DINGER. I'M CONTINUED TO BE IMPRESS WITH THE RUN OF KURT BUSCH AND THE RUN THAT HE AND JAMES FINCH AND COMPANY HAVE HAD WITH THE "TALLADEGA NIGHT" RICKY BOBBY TEAM. IT EVEN CARRIES OVER TO THEIR IN-CAR RADIO DISCUSSIONS. >> SLINGSHOT. >> WE COPY DOWN HERE, RICKY. >> THE PACK IS GAINING ON YOU GUYS PRETTY GOOD THERE, RICKY. ABOUT A SECOND A LAP FASTER. >> YEAH, I DON'T WANT TO BUMP INTO THEM. [ LAUGHTER ] >> Larry: DOES HE HAVE THE MOVIE LINES ON HIS DASHBOARD OR WHAT? >> Darrell: FOR KURT, THEY SHOULD SCRIPT THE RADIO CONVERSATIONS EVERY WEEK. I WOULD PAY OFF FOR HIM. [ LAUGHTER ] >> Mike: I'LL LET YOU SUGGEST THAT. MATT KENSETH AFTER 80 LAP IS THE LEADER ON AARON'S 499 ON >> Mike: WITH HELP FROM HIS FORMER TEAMMATE, MICHAEL WALTRIP GETS BACK UP IN POSITION TO LEAD THE AARON'S 499. WALTRIP IN THE 55, SCOOTED AWAY FROM DALE JR. NOW HE HAS GOT TONY STEWART RIGHT THERE KNOCKING ON THE BACKDOOR. >> Darrell: I TELL YOU WHAT, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE SOMEONE CHALLENGED THE 17 CAR. HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO HOLD EVERYBODY AT BAY. >> Larry: RIGHT NOW HE HAS GOT THEM THREE WIDE BY FOUR ROWS DEEP BEHIND HIM OUT THERE LEADING THIS THING. >> Mike: STEWART SETTLES IN SECOND. AND STEVE, AN ISSUE WITH JEFF GORDON? >> Steve: MIKE HE JUST SAID I HAVE A WATER PRESSURE FLASHING. I'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THIS. >> Larry: HE HAS A WARNING LIGHT ON HIS PRESSURE GAUGE AND ALL THE GAUGES FOR THAT MATTER. OF COURSE, WE KNOW JEFF GORDON HAS BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THIS SINCE THE DROP OF THE GREEN FLAG. >> Darrell: THE GUYS ARE JUST SO CLOSE TO BURNING THE ENGINES UP. GOT TO MANAGE IT. >> Mike: HOW DO YOU GET OUT OF HERE? YOU'RE IN THE MID? MIDDLE?WHERE DO YOU GO? >> Darrell: JUST WATCH. HE WILL SHOW YOU. DID I JUST SEE SMOKE OUT OF JEFF'S CAR? OR IS THAT WATER? >> Mike: JEFF GORDON PERHAPS WITH A PROBLEM. DOWN TO JEFF HAMMOND. >> Jeff: YEAH, WITH THE HELP OF THE FORD RACING CAR, SHOW YOU WHAT IS GOING ON. SUPERSPEEDWAY PROGRAM WE ARE RUNNING AT TALLADEGA. ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT KEEPING THE CAR COOLER. THIS IS WHAT WE NORMALLY RUN ANYWHERE ELSE, WHEN IT COMES TO ANY OTHER RACETRACK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TALLADEGA. TODAY WE ARE RUNNING THIS. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? THE DRIVERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE REAL, REAL CONSCIENTIOUS AND KEEPING AN EYE ON THE GAUGES. THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. NORMAL TEMPERATURE FOR WATER. NORMAL TEMPERATURE FOR THE WATER PRESSURE. NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN WE ARE RUNNING HOT. WE LOSE PRESSURE. WE'RE GOING TO BE IN TROUBLE. LIKE TO DO WHAT MATT KENSETH DID IN DAYTONA. PUT WATER IN THE RACECAR. >> Darrell: DON'T FORGET THE CAR BLEW UP IN DAYTONA IN FEBRUARY. >> Mike: THAT GRILL OPENING ABOVE THE WORD "IMPALA" IS A DECAL. THE RADIATOR OPENING IS IN THE BUMPER FACE, AGAIN, TO PREVENT CONTINUED BUMP DRAFTING. >> Larry: ALL OF THESE RULE CHANGES, NASCAR LISTENED TO THE MAJORITY OF OUR FANS THAT DID NOT LIKE THAT TWO-DRIVER TAN DEN IN 2011 -- TANDEM WE HAD IN 2011. >> Darrell: I DON'T THINK THEY GAVE THE DRIVERS ENOUGH ROOM TO OPERATE. THERE IS NO INSURANCE IF IT GOES WRONG. >> Mike: KAHNE, MICHAEL WALTRIP, DALE JR. WORKING ON THE HIGH SIDE. UP IN THREE AND FOUR. >> Darrell: THAT IS ONE REASON WE HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF AGGRESSIVE BUMP DRAFTING. YOU DON'T WANT TO CLOSE THAT OPENING UP. YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO. >> Larry: DARRELL AND I TALK ABOUT KASEY KAHNE IN THE 5. HE HAS LOOKED SO STRONG. HE IS UP THERE WANTING THE LEAD. >> Darrell: WATCH HIS LAP TIMES AND HE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE FASTEST CARS. BACK IN THE PACK A LITTLE BIT BUT REALLY FAST. >> Mike: KAHNE HAS SHOWN SPEED SINCE JOINING HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS SINCE THE START OF THE SEASON BUT DOESN'T HAVE THE FINISHES TO SHOW FOR IT. >> Darrell: GETTING A LITTLE WIDE BACK HERE. WASN'T LONG AGO THE 42 CAR WITH ALLMENDINGER BEHIND HIM, HE WAS AT THE BACK OF THE PACK. NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE FRONT. >> Mike: 88 LAPS COMPLETE THIS TIME BY. KAHNE. KENSETH. BATTLE FOR THE LEAD. THE INSIDE LANE HAS A LITTLE BIT MORE PUSH. AT THE LINE. KAHNE ON THE OUTSIDE. >> Darrell: IT WAS A TIE. >> Larry: THAT IS THE FIRST LAP THAT KASEY KAHNE HAS LED IN THE FARMER'S INSURANCE CHEVROLET FOR HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS IN 2012. >> Darrell: I STILL LIKE THE 17 CAR. HE HAS GOT THE MUSCLE, MAN. THEY GET UP THERE, THEY GET ALL AROUND HIM. BUT HE CAN PULL BACK. HE HAS GOT SMOKE BEHIND HIM. TONY STEWART, NOT SMOKE, PUSHING HIM BACK TO THE LEAD. >> Mike: MATT KENSETH LED 50 LAPS AT DAYTONA. HE HAS BEEN OUT FRONT FOR 30 LAPS TODAY. IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS RACE, KENSETH'S FORD HAS SHOWN IT'S THE CAR TO BEAT. >> Darrell: I BELIEVE SO. >> Larry: OTHER DRIVERS IN THE MIX IS EARNHARDT-GANASSI DRIVER OF MONTOYA. THEY ARE MAKING NOISE. >> Darrell: THEY WERE AT THE BACK FOR A LONG TIME AND THEY JUST STARTED TO MAKE A MOVE RECENTLY. >> Mike: ON THE OUTSIDE, KAHNE EARNHARDT ARE TEAMMATES. >> Darrell: I LOVE WHAT TONY STEWART SAID. THIS IS A CHESS MATCH AND I ONLY KNOW HOW TO PLAY CHECKERS. >> Mike: KASEY KAHNE IN THE FRONT. JEFF GORDON AT THE BACK OF THE 28-CAR DRAFT AFTER 90 LAPS IN THE >>> THE AARON'S 499 ON FOX IS SPONSORED BY -- >> Chris: GLAD YOU'RE WITH US FROM TALLADEGA. THE AT&T MID-RACE REPORT. KASEY KAHNE HAS MOVED IN TO THE LEAD. LEADING FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR IN ANY RACE. MATT KENSETH HAS LED THE MOST LAPS SO FAR. BUT OVERHEATING, TEMPERATURE IN THE 80s AFTER EARLY RAIN. HASN'T HIT 90 YET, BUT ALREADY ENGINE PROBLEMS, OVERHEATED FOR RYAN NEWMAN WHO CAME IN TEN IN THE POINTS. JIMMIE JOHNSON WON THE RACE LAST YEAR WHO CAME IN SIX IN THE POINTS. CHECK IN WITH DARRELL. WHO ARE YOU KEEPING AN EYE ON? >> Darrell: I DIDN'T JUST GET ON THE GUY, FOLKS. KASEY KAHNE, I LIKE WHAT HE IS DOING TODAY AND GETTING STRONGER EVERY WEEK. I LIKE KASEY KAHNE. STEVE BYRNES? >> Steve: D.W., JEFF GORDON CONTINUES TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WATER TEMPERATURE AND THE WATER PRESSURE. HE DROPPED TO THE BACK. HIS CREW CHIEF ALAN GUSTAFSON SAID, "GET SOME AIR. GO AHEAD AND GET SOME AIR TO THE FRONT OF THE RACECAR." THEY WILL PIT ON LAP 101, LARRY Mac. >> Larry: STEVE, CONTRARY TO WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST. IF YOU WANT TO TWIN RACE, YOU BETTER GET THE FRONT AND DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO STAY UP THERE. >> Matt: THAT IS PART OF DALE EARNHARDT JR.'S STRATEGY. KEEP THE CAR CLOSE TO FRONT AS POSSIBLE AND THE OTHER IS STAY IN THE HIGH SIDE. HE, TOO, LIKE THE OTHER HENDRICK ENGINE CARS CONCERNED AFTER HIS CORPORATE TEAMMATES HAVING ISSUES AS WELL. MIKE? >> Mike: RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACES, KURT BUSCH IS 0-45. KASEY KAHNE IS 0-33. CHRIS, THEY HAVE EACH FINISHED SECOND THREE TIMES. >> Chris: MIKE, RESTRICTOR-PLATE KING, NICKNAMEED "CLOSER" FOR KEVIN HARVICK. HE HASN'T LED. HE HANGS AROUND. 17, 18. WHEN WILL HE MAKE HIS MOVE? HE IS GAMING, MAYBE HE IS AWARE AT THE HALFWAY POINT OF THE LAST FIVE RACES, THAT DRIVER HAS NOT WON THE RACE. WE WILL SEE WHEN HE MAKES A MOVE. THAT IS OUR AT&T MID-RACE REPORT. REJOIN THE GUYS UPSTAIRS, LARRY, DARRELL, MIKE. >> Mike: THANK YOU, CHRIS. JUAN PABLO MONTOYA HAS COME TO THE LEAD ON THE LOW SIDE WITH MATT KENSETH IN TOW, AND TONY STEWART. HE AND KASEY KAHNE COME ACROSS THE LINE SIDE-BY-SIDE THE LAST FEW LAPS HERE. NOW A THIRD LANE BEGINNING TO WORK. LED BY JAMIE McMURRAY. >> Darrell: TAIL END CHARLIE, JEFF GORDON KEEPING UP WITH THE BACK OF THE PACK. HE WAS HAVING A HEATING ISSUE. WE DROPPED BACK AND WE HAVE NOT HEARD THE LAST OF JEFF GORDON. >> Larry: RIGHT NOW WE ARE FOUR TO EIGHT LOPS OF WHAT WILL BE ANOTHER SET OF GREEN FLAG PIT STOPS. WE SAW HOW FAR DENNY HAMLIN GOT BEHIND ON THE LAST ONE. YOU CAN'T HAVE MISTAKES. >> Darrell: REMEMBER, JEFF GORDON TOOK LEFT-SIDE TIRES. DIFFERENT STRATEGY. SEE WHAT THEY DO THIS TIME IN. >> Mike: 28 CARS TO COME AROUND AND COMPLETE LAP 97. 91 TO GO. JUST PAST HALFWAY. THE DODGE CHARGERS IN RACE, ALLMENDINGER AND KESELOWSKI SMACK IN THE TOP TEN. >> Darrell: THE THING ABOUT THIS RACE AND THIS KIND OF RACING, THERE ARE GUYS LIKE ALLMENDINGER AND KESELOWSKI. WE MAY NOT TALK A LOT ABOUT, BECAUSE ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY JUST SHOW UP. YOU SAY LIKE WE DO KEVIN HARVICK, "DID THOSE GUYS COME FROM? >> Larry: YOU TALKED ABLE IT EARLIER IN THE SHOW. IT SEEMS LIKE NOW, DRIVERS LIKE KASEY KAHNE IN THE 5, DALE EARNHARDT JR. IN THE 88, FIGHTING FOR LEAD. STARTING TO MAKE THE SECOND GROOVE WORK. >> Darrell: YEAH. IT WILL GET THERE. >> Mike: DAVE BLANEY FOR TOMMY BALDWIN? A CAR WITH THE RAIN DELAY NEARLY WON THE DAYTONA 500. BLANEY HAS BEEN IN THE TOP TEN FOR ALL OF THIS RUN. HE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT PACK IN EIGHTH PLACE. >> Larry: REMEMBER, DAVE BLANEY FINISHED THIRD IN THE FALL RACE HERE LAST YEAR. AT TALLADEGA. >> Darrell: REMEMBER WHO WAS LEADING THE RACE AT DAYTONA WHEN THEY STOPPED THE RACE. AND ALL THE KIDS ARE PULLING FOR HIM. >> Mike: BLANEY IN FRONT OF KURT BUSCH IN THE 36. RIGHT BETWEEN KESELOWSKI AND BIFFLE. >> Larry: LOOKING AT MONTOYA IN THE 42. HE'S DOING WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT. HE HAS BEEN NOTORIOUS FOR RUNNING IN THE BACK, 15 TO 20 LAPS TO GO. HE'S LEADING A WE START TO GET IN GREEN FLAG PIT STOPS. >> Darrell: LOOK WHAT WE ARE AVERAGING FOR THE RACE PACE RIGHT NOW. 181 MILES AN HOUR. AVERAGE SPEED. SO FAR. >> Mike: BOTH PENSKE DODGES ON PIT ROAD. ALLMENDINGER AND KESELOWSKI. >> Krista: A.J. ALLMENDINGER STARTING SECOND WENT TO THE BACK FOR PIT ROAD PENALTY AND WORKED HIS WAY BACK UP TOWARD THE FRONT. A.J. ALLMENDINGER SAYING THE STRATEGY HERE, A LOT OF PRAYER. STEVE? >> Steve: FOUR TIRES FOR BRAD KESELOWSKI. THEY ALSO GAVE HIM A WINDSHIELD TEAR-OFF. AND GOING TO MAKE A SLIGHT CHASSIS ADJUSTMENT, BECAUSE HANDLING IS AN ISSUE FOR BRAD KESELOWSKI. >> Mike: YOU CAN GET OFF PIT ROAD WITHOUT LOSING A LAP BUT YOU LOSE A LAP AFTER THE GREEN FLAG PIT STOP AS YOU TRY TO COME UP TO SPEED AND THE PACK COMES BY. MORE TAKERS ON PIT ROAD. KASEY KAHNE, DALE EARNHARDT JR. KURT BUSCH. AND MORE. DICK? >> Dick: >> Dick: THE 51, KURT BUSCH PITTING NOW. THE CREW ALSO PITTED FOR HIM YESTERDAY IN THE PRELIMINARY EVENT. MATT? >> Matt: I PULLED A TEAR-OFF OF DALE EARNHARDT JR.'S CHEVROLET. FOUR TIRES ON THIS STOP. KRISTA? >> Krista: MATT, KASEY KAHNE LOVES THE MOMENTUM OF RUNNING UP FRONT, LEADING LAPS. SOMETHING HE HASN'T DONE ALL SEASON. FOUR-TIRE CHANGE FOR KASEY KAHNE. >> Mike: THAT IS ROBERT RICHARDSON JUNIOR ON THE APRON, ON TURN NUMBER TWO. TONY STEWART WENT TO THE APRON WELL BEFORE THE PIT ROAD ENTRANCE. >> Darrell: HE MIGHT BE OUT OF FUEL. >> Larry: HE'S EITHER OUT OF FUEL, BUT REMEMBER, THAT IS ANOTHER HENDRICK ENGINE IN THE 14 CAR OF TONY STEWART. >> Mike: THE LEADERS TO PIT ROAD. DICK? >> Dick: MATT KENSETH IS IN. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST PIT CREWS IN ALL OF STOCK CAR RACING. KENSETH DRIVING BRILLIANTLY TODAY. MINOR ADJUSTMENT TO THE RACECAR. FOUR-TIRE PIT STOP THIS TIME. IT WON'T TAKE HIM LONG IN THE PITS. MATT? >> Matt: THE FIRST CAN OF FUEL IN. THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT. STILL NO WORD ON THE CAR. IT WAS RUNNING WHEN HE HIT PIT ROAD. >> Mike: IT APPEARED HE GOT TO THE APRON AND OUT OF TRAFFIC. >> Darrell: I SAW HIM SHAKING THE CAR AS IF HE WAS LOW ON FUEL AND RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. >> Mike: STEVE, THAT DID THEY DO FOR JEFF GORDON? >> Jeff: RIGHT SIDE TIRES ONLY FOR JEFF GORDON. RIGHT SIDES AND GAS. >> Larry: LAST TIME JEFF GORDON CHANGED JUST LEFT-SIDE TIRES ON THE 24 CAR. >> Mike: KEVIN HARVICK PICKS UP THE LEAD FROM PAUL MENARD. MICHAEL WALTRIP IS IN. DICK? >> Dick: MICHAEL WALTRIP'S BIG PROBLEM IS NOT THE CAR. IT'S HIS FEET. HIS FEET HAVE GOTTEN HOT INSIDE THE RACECAR. MATT? >> Matt: TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE RACETRACK AS IT IS GETTING HOTTER AND HOTTER AND THE TRACK GETTING SLICKER. SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT ON THE 18. STEVE? >> Steve: FOUR TIRES FOR GREG BIFFLE. HE GETS A CLEAN WINDSHIELD. NO OTHER ADJUSTMENT ON THE RACECAR. TIRES AND FUEL. >> Mike: KEVIN HARVICK AND PAUL MENARD OUT ON THE RACETRACK. THE CAR OWNER, RICHARD CHILDRESS INDUCTED IN THE INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME THURSDAY NIGHT. ALONG WITH DRAG RACERS KENNY BERNSTEIN AND JOHN FORCE. >> FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE. >> Mike: MATT? >> Matt: EXTREMELY CONCERNED WITH THE OIL AND WATER TEMPERATURES ON THE 29 CAR. IN FACT, CHILDRESS TOLD HIM WE'RE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE OIL. THAT'S WHAT THEY FEEL LIKE THE BIGGEST ISSUE HAS BEEN TODAY WITH THE OTHER CHEVROLET. NO CHANGES FOR HARVICK. >> Darrell: REMEMBER LAST WEEK AT RICHMOND, CARL EDWARDS CALLED IN TO BOB OSBORNE AND SAID WHAT ABOUT THE OIL TEMP? IT'S HIGHER THAN NORMAL. WE RUN OIL PRESSURE HERE AND YOU CAN GET THE OIL TEMP WAY UP AND IT WILL BLOW THE ENGINES UP. >> Mike: PAUL MENARD WILL SURRENDER THE LEAD AND BE THE FINAL LEAD LAP CAR TO MAKE THIS GREEN FLAG PIT STOP. ANY DISADVANTAGE TO WAITING THIS LONG? >> Larry: NORMALLY THERE WOULD BE. BUT ONE REASON THEY LET PAUL MENARD AND KEVIN HARVICK OUT THERE, THEY CAN MAKE IT ON ONE STOP. >> Dick: IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY CAUTION FLAGS AND THAT IS UNLIKELY AT TALLADEGA. MEN MACHINE'S BEST FINISH HAS BEEN AT DAYTONA IN DAYTONA 500. THE TRACK THAT MOST CLOSELY RESEMBLES THIS ONE. >> Larry: TO YOUR POINT, KEVIN HARVICK IN THE 29 CAR WILL GET UP TO SPEED. HE IS TRYING TO BE OVERTAKEN BY GREG BIFFLE IN THE 16. >> Mike: GREG BIFFLE, THE SPRINT CUP POINT STANDING LEADER ON THE OUTSIDE AND TO THE LEAD AS THEY COME PAST PAUL MENARD. MENARD DID NOT LOSE THE POSITION ON PIT ROAD BUT HE WILL LOSE IT NOW. NOT ELIGIBLE TO BLEND UP IN TRAFFIC UNTIL HE GETS UP TO SPEED ON THE BACK STRAIGHTAWAY. >> Darrell: THE 88 AND 5 ALMOST HAD AN ISSUE. 5 SHOOT UP THE HILL AND YOU CAN SEE HE LOST GROUND. A GREAT PUSHER COMING UP BEHIND HIM. WATCH THIS GOING TO TURN ONE. A LITTLE DICEY. >> Darrell: THAT WAS ALMOST. I FEEL TENSION BUILDING AMONGST THE GUYS. GETTING HOT AND TIRED. THINGS ARE GOING TO PICK UP. >> Mike: EARLIER, DALE EARNHARDT JR. UPSET JEFF GORDON. HE CAME BACK AND RETURNED THE FAVOR. GREG >> Mike: TAKE AN INSIDE LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES, BROUGHT TO YOU BY SPRINT. MATT KENSETH LED THE MOST LAPS TODAY. THE BIGGEST MOVER, THANKS TO A 12-1/2-SECOND PIT STOP IS JEFF BURTON WHO IS NOW UP TO THIRD. CHECK OUT THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP MOBILE APP ON YOUR ANDROID-POWERED DEVICE ONLY ON THE SPRINT NETWORK. THE ONLY NATIONAL CARRIER WITH TRULY UNLIMITED DATA. LEARN MORE AT SPRINT.COM/SPEED. 79 LAPS TO GO. BIFFLE LEADER IN A FORD. KESELOWSKI'S DODGE SECOND. BURTON'S CHEVROLET IN THIRD. THE 31, MARCOS AMBROSE BATTLES WITH HIM IN A FORD. AND MATT KENSETH'S FORD. THOSE ARE THE TOP FIVE. DENNY HAMLIN RUNNING UP WITH THAT PACK. WENT A LAP DOWN. DURING THE PIT STOP SEQUENCE. SO HAMLIN, HIS NUMBER 11 IS SECOND IN LINE. BUT NOT ON THE LEAD LAP. >> Larry: MIKE, YOU MENTIONED JEFF BURTON IN THE 31 GETTING A PUSH BY MATT KENSETH IN THE 17. HE IS UP THERE WANTING THE LEAD. THEY HAD AN AWESOME PIT STOP, 12-1/2 SECONDS, CHANGING FOUR TIRES. REMEMBER, JEFF FINISHED SECOND TO TEMMATE CLINT BOWYER LAST FALL. >> Mike: THE TWO DRIVERS ARE FORMER TEAMMATES TOGETHER. THAT HAS TO COUNT FOR SOMETHING. >> Darrell: YEAH, HAVING SOMEBODY YOU TRUST. IT DOES. I'M SEEING MATT KENSETH IN GREG BIFFLE, THE TWO FORDS. THEY SEEM TO BE ABLE TO SET THE PACE. THEY SEEM TO BE JUST A LITTLE BIT QUICKER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE. >> Mike: HOW ABOUT A TALLADEGA CINCO DE MAYO SUPER MOON SUNDAY? 200-MILE-PER-HOUR CRANK IT UP! [ ENGINES ROAR ] >>> TWO UP TOP. [ ENGINES ROAR ] >> THREE WIDE RIGHT THERE. >> Mike: THAT IS 17 CARS UNDER BLANKET WITH 75 LAPS TO GO. GREG BIFFLE IN FRONT OF BRAD KESELOWSKI. CLINT BOWYER, MARCOS AMBROSE, JUAN PABLO MONTOYA. GO TO SHE I HAVEOUTDOORS.COM AND ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WINCHES SILVERADO AND DAY OF BASS FISHING WITH TONY STEWART AT HIS HOME. STEWART IN 18th PLACE, MATT. >> Matt: FIVE LAPS AGO HE WAS NEAR THE BACK OF THE PACK TRYING TO GET THE WATER AND OIL TEMPERATURES TO COME DOWN. THEY WERE IN THE DANGER ZONE. THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM, STEWART SAID, WHEN HE WORKED HIS WAY BACK TO MID-PACK. THE WATER PRESSURE IS STILL A DANGER ZONE AMOUNT LOT OF CONCERN IN THE 14 CAMP CONCERNING THAT. >> Larry: THAT IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN. NOT NECESSARILY THE WATER TEMPERATURE. THE PRESSURE, ITSELF. >> Mike: BIFFLE, KESELOWSKI, AMBROSE AND BOWYER. LEADING THE TRAIN AROUND >>> THE AARON'S 499 IS SPONSORED BY -- >> Mike: 70 LAPS TO GO. THE FIRST SEVEN CARS NOSE TO TAIL, A BIT OF TWO-WIDE AND THREE-WIDE RACING. IN MID-PACK, AND ON BACK. GREG BIFFLE LEADING FROM BRAD KESELOWSKI, MARCOS AMBROSE, ARIC ALMIROLA. AND THE BUSCH BROTHERS. LET'S GO DOWNSTAIRS TO JEFF HAMMOND WHO IS STANDING BY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FARMERS. >> Jeff: RIGHT NOW, GUYS, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT HAS TO DO WITH PROTECTING YOUR CAR AND PROTECTING YOUR ENGINE. SO FAR, FROM DOWN IN THE GARAGE AREA, TWO OF THE CARS HAVE GONE OUT OF THE RACE BECAUSE OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. POSSIBLY OIL PUMP. THE OTHER ONE, MAY BE RUNNING PART THROTTLE. AROUND THIS RACETRACK, WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT CARL EDWARDS, ASKING BOB OSBORNE, SHOULD I RUN IT WIDE HE OPEN OR PART THROT? HE SAID RUN IT WIDE OPEN AND DRAG THE BRAKE. PROTECT THE ENGINE. KEEP IT COOL AND LUBRICATED. >> Mike: THANK YOU. JEFF. NEW LEADER. I'VE WAITED ALL DAY TO SAY THIS. IT'S RICKY BOBBY! >> Larry: I'M GOING FAST. >> Mike: LOOK AT ME, MOMMA. >> Darrell: THEY TOLD HIM COUGAR WAS IN THE CAR. >> Mike: HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE SEEN THE MOVIE? >> Darrell: AT LEAST 15. >> LEADER, RICKY BOBBY. >> Mike: IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SPONSOR ON THE CAR YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE FUN. I LOVE IT. >> Darrell: YOU KNOW WHAT? IF THEY DO WELL TODAY THEY MIGHT WANT TO LEAVE THAT ON THERE. >> Larry: DARRELL AND MIKE, WE FELT LIKE AND WE KNOW THERE IS A LONG WAY TO GO, IF THERE IS A PLACE THAT KURT BUSCH COULD WIN DRIVING FOR PHOENIX RACING AND JAMES FINCH, IT WOULD POSSIBLY BE A RESTRICTOR-PLATE TRACK. REMEMBER, THAT RACE TEAM WON HERE WITH BRAD KESELOWSKI BACK IN 2009. >> Darrell: A LOT OF STRATEGIZING GOING ON. EVERYBODY THINKING WHERE DO I WANT TO BE? I KNOW JEFF GORDON SITTING WAY BACK THERE, KEEPING HIS JETS COOL. OTHER GUYS DOING THE SAME THING. >> Mike: BOTH OF THE HENDRICK CARS, GORDON AND KASEY KAHNE DRIFTING TO THE BACK OF THE PACK, RUNNING 19 19AND 21st NOW. >> Larry: WE HAVE AT LEAST ONE MORE PIT STOP FOR THE DRIVERS. FOR SOME IT WILL TAKE TWO TO GET TO THE END. >> Mike: TENSE MOMENT FOR MICHAEL WALTRIP. THAT IS LANDON CASSILL UP AGAINST HIM. >> Darrell: A GREAT SAVE. I KNOW IT LOOKS VERY SUBTLE ON TV BUT WHEN THE CARS GET LOOSE DOWN HERE, THEY USUALLY ARE, THEY USUALLY DON'T STRAIGHTEN UP. >> Mike: NICE TOUCH ON THE SIDE OF MICHAEL'S 55. REMEMBERING ANOTHER GREAT 55. THE N.F.L.'S JUNIOR SEAU MEMORIALIZED ON THE REAR QUARTER PANEL OF MICHAEL WALTRIP'S CAR. WELL, RICKY BOBBY LOSES THE LEAD TO MATT KENSETH. AND GREG BIFFLE. THE TWO POTENT FORDS ARE NOW AT THE HEAD OF THE PACK. >> Darrell: ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS THINK BACK TO DAYTONA. AND HOW WELL GREG BIFFLE AND MATT KENSETH RAN AT THE END OF THAT RACE. HERE THEY ARE, THE SAME TWO GUYS LOOKING GOOD. >> Mike: THE DRIVER DROPPED TO THE BACK, HENDRICK CAR, DALE JR. BACK TO 23. >> JOINING THE HENDRICK TEAMMATE, CONCERNED ABOUT THE MOTOR ISSUES ON THE 48 EARLIER IN THE RACE. THIS IS RECENT CONVERSATION GOING IN TO POSSIBLE PREVENT DEFENSE MODE IN THE 88 CAMP. INSTRUCTIONS FROM STEVE LETARTE TO DALE JR. >> I WOND EARNED WHAT HAPPENED TO JIMMIE JOHNSON. >> JIMMIE JOHNSON HAS A BROKEN OIL PUMP. SO DOES THE 39. BASICALLY, IF YOU FEEL THE POWER STEERING GO IT SHUT THE BELT OFF AND SHUT IT OFF AS SOON AS YOU CAN. I DON'T EXPECT TO HAVE THE TROUBLE BUT I'M JUST LETTING YOU KNOW. >> Mike: HERE COMES EARNHARDT LOOKING TO THE OUTSIDE OF DAVE BLANEY. >> Darrell: WHY HE TOLD HIM THAT, BECAUSE THE BELTS ARE ALL DOWN THERE TOGETHER. MAY THINK IT'S OIL PUMP -- OR IF THE POWER STEERING PUMP GOES IT USUALLY MEANS IT'S KNOCKED OFF BY ONE OF THE OTHER BELTS. >> Mike: HOW ABOUT HIS TEAMMATE JEFF GORDON, STEVE? >> Steve: WELL, THEY STILL HAVE ISSUES, MIKE. JEFF GORDON JUST SAID, "MY GAUGES CONTINUE TO ACT WEIRD. ON THE FRONT STRETCH THEY FLASH RED. ON THE BACK STRETCH IN THE HEAD WIND, IT STOPS FLASHING. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO TELL YOU." ALAN GUSTAFSON, THE CREW CHIEF RESPONDED, HE SAID, "JEFF, BECAUSE THE CAR IS TAKING IN SO MUCH AIR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE WATER TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND THE PRESSURE GAUGE IS OFF. JUST WATCH THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR CAL AND IF YOU SEE WATER TEMPERATURE COME UP, TOO HOT." >> Darrell: AND TOO LATE I MIGHT ADD. >> Mike: THANK YOU, STEVE. MATT KENSETH, GREG BIFFLE AND FORD LEAD WITH 65 LAPS TO >> Chris: BACK AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY. 61 LAPS TO GO. MATT KENSETH IS YOUR LEADER IN FRONT OF GREG BIFFLE AND KURT BUSCH. TIME FOR THE HUSVARNA FAST TRACKER. AND GREG BIFFLE CAME IN AS THE POINTS LEADER. CURRENTLY RUNNING SECOND. MATT KENSETH HAS LED THE MOST LAPS TODAY. WORKING ON HIS 35th FOLLOWED BY MICHAEL WALTRIP. KEVIN HARVICK YET TO LEAD IN THE RACE. DALE EARNHARDT JR. LED FOR TEN LAPS. WE HAVE HAD 13 LEADERS, 22 LEAD CHANGES. ONLY ONE CAUTION. COOLER HEADS AND COOLER ENGINES WILL PREVAIL AS WE TAKE YOU TO THE FINISH HERE AT TALLADEGA. WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE WATCHING NASCAR ON >>> THE AARON'S 499'S ON FOX IS SPONSORED BY -- >> Mike: 56 LAPS TO GO IN THE AARON'S 499. MATT KENSETH IS THE FIRST OF 27 LEAD LAP CARS. AND ONE OF 13 DIFFERENT LEADERS. HE LED THE MOST LAPS, 41. 22 LEAD CHANGES TODAY. AN JUST ONE CAUTION FLAG. FOR FOUR LAPS. DICK BERGGREN ON THE LEADER. >> Dick: AS STRONG AS MATT KENSETH IS RUNNING, THEY WERE CONCERNED BEFORE THE START OF THE RACE ABOUT A VIBRATION. MATT SAID A FEW LAPS BACK THE SHAKE IS BACK. HE'S NOT CALLING IT A VIBRATION RIGHT NOW. HE'S CALLING IT A SHAKE. >> Mike: THIS IS TOO OBVIOUS. IT'S SHAKE AND BAKE. HERE COMES RICKY BOBBY ON THE OUTSIDE. >> Darrell: NO KIDDING. >> Larry: HE IS TRYING TO SHAKE AND BAKE BACK TO THE LEAD WITH HELP FROM DENNY HAMLIN IN THE 11. HAMLIN IS A LAP DOWN BECAUSE OF ISSUES ON A GREEN FLAG PIT STOPS. NOBODY WOULD LOVE TO SEE A CAUTION MORE SO THAN DENNY HAMLIN. >> Darrell: I THINK IT VIBRATES LESS WHEN HE IS IN THE LEAD TELL YOU THE TRUTH. A LOT OF THE DRIVERS I THINK RIGHT NOW ARE MANAGING THEIR TEMPS. I DON'T MEAN THE DRIVER, HIMSELF. THE CAR TEMPS. THE NUMBER OF DRIVERS WHO SAID EVERY TIME I TRY TO MAKE A RUN I HAVE TO ABORT BECAUSE OF MY TEMPERATURES. THAT WILL ALL CHANGE WHEN WE GET NEAR THE END OF THIS THING. >> Mike: CLINT BOWYER, THIRD ON THE OUTSIDE WITH TREVOR BAYNE AN MONTOYA. AND BLANEY. IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIRST 17 CARS, THERE IS NOBODY IN THAT GROUP WHO CAN'T WIN THIS RACE. KURT BUSCH NEVER WON A PLATE RACE. DAYTONA OR TALLADEGA POINTS PAYING RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACE IN NASCAR. HE AND THE COUGAR HAVE GONE TO THE FRONT. >> Darrell: THERE YOU GO. HE IS OUT FRONT PULLING AWAY. >> YOU KNOW WHAT? >> Darrell: WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF RACE, FUEL MILEAGE RACES COME TO MIND. I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE SEEN A RACE YOU HAVE TO MANAGE YOUR TEMPERATURES TO HANG AROUND THE FINISH. >> Larry: SPEAKING OF FUEL MILEAGE, DARRELL, WE ARE EIGHT TO TEN LAPS AWAY FROM GREEN FLAG PIT STOPS. DRIVERS THAT TRY TO STRETCH IT HERE WILL LET US KNOW IF THEY CAN GO TO THE END. DENNY HAMLIN IN THE 11, HE IS TRYING TO GET HIS LAP BACK THE HARD WAY, BY PASSING THE LEADER. >> Darrell: I TELL YOU WHAT HE BETTER BE CAREFUL OF. HE DOESN'T WANT TO GET UP THERE AND SHUFFLED TO THE BACK AND GET BACK THERE WITH OTHER CAR LAPS DOWN. >> Mike: THE NEXT CAR LAPS DOWN IS BOBBY LABONTE 47. THEN REUTIMANN IN THE 10. >> Larry: BOY, MATT KENSETH IN THE 17 WITH HELP FROM HIS TEAMMATE GREG BIFFLE JUST SHOT TO THE OUTSIDE. DRIVE RIGHT BY KURT BUSCH. >> Mike: DARRELL, THEY MADE IT LOOK EASY. >> Darrell: UH-HUH. I THINK THAT FOR THOSE TWO GUYS IT IS PRETTY EASY RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE THEY SEEM TO HAVE THE SPEED, MAN. >> Mike: THANK THAT ONE. KENSETH HAS BEEN TO PULL OUT IN FRONT AT WILL. >> Darrell: I DON'T GET THE SENSE THERE IS HARMONY AMONGST THE 17, 16 AND THE 99. THEY DON'T SEEM TO NECESSARILY REALLY HANG TOGETHER LIKE I HAVE SEEN THE OTHER TEAMS DO. >> Mike: WELL, NOT RIGHT THIS MOMENT. THERE IS KENSETH AND THERE IS BIFFLE. EIGHT PLACES APART. THEY GET ALONG WELL. IN FACT, THEY GET POOL TO SOME OF THE RACES. HOP RIDES IN EACH OTHER'S PLANES. >> Darrell: LIKE TO BE A FLY ON THE WALL ON >> Mike: 48 LAPS TO GO AT TALLADEGA. MATT KENSETH STILL THE LEADER FROM KURT BUSCH, BRAD KESELOWSKI, MARCOS AMBROSE. HERE IS WHAT IS FRESH OFF THE WIRE. DURING THAT BREAK, JEFF BURTON NUMBER 31 LOSES FUEL PRESSURE. AND ALMOST GETS INHALED BY HIS TEAMMATE PAUL MENARD AND JOEY LOGANO. EVERYBODY IS ABLE TO SCATTER. AND BURTON WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO PIT ROAD. AND MAKE HIS PIT STOP AND GET BACK OUT THERE. THAT'S WHY FRESH OFF THE WIRE SERVED TO YOU BY KFC. COME IN AND TASTE WHY FRESH IS BETTER. >> Darrell: HE LOST THE FUEL PRESSURE. WE HAVE HARVE UP HERE TRYING TO, HE HAS A PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK HE CAN GET TO PIT ROAD. >> Mike: TOO MUCH TRAFFIC, DARRELL. HE COULD NOT MAKE THE LEFT TURN TO PIT ROAD. WE HAVE HAVE ONLY HAD ONE CAUTION TODAY. HARVICK IS GOING TO HAVE TO EITHER MAKE IT AROUND OR EXIT ON THE INFIELD. THAT SOUNDED BAD. >> Larry: YEAH. HE WAS RUNNING. HE SHOULD NOT BE OUT OF FUEL. >> WE RUN OUT OF GAS A LOT. >> Mike: THAT IS A HEART-BREAKER. >> Larry: EVIDENTLY, THEY DIDN'T GET KEVIN HARVICK'S FULL OF FUEL THE LAST STOP, HE WAS ONE OF THE LAST DRIVERS TO PIT. >> Darrell: THINK ABOUT HIS TEAMMATE, 31, JUST RAN OUT OF FUEL OR LOST THE FUEL PRESSURE WHICH WOULD TELL ME HE HAD LOW FUEL. NOW HARVICK WITH A PROBLEM. >> Mike: TREVOR BAYNE SLOWED A LAP AGO AND WAS ABLE TO LIMP ON TO PIT ROAD TO MAKE HIS STOP. KESELOWSKI AND ALLMENDINGER, THE TWO DODGES LEAD THE PARADE ON TO PIT ROAD AS WITH THE LAST SET OF GREEN FLAG STOPS. THIS TIME, PAUL MENARD MINDFUL OF HIS TEAMMATE'S PROBLEMS COMES WITH HIM. >> Darrell: I THINK THE 51, I THINK 51 MIGHT BE OUT OF FUEL. HE IS GOING TO THE BOTTOM. HE IS OUT OF FUEL. >> Larry: BUT I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT IT WHILE AGO. THIS WOULD BE THE RUN THAT DRIVERS MAY TRY TO STRETCH THE FUEL TO MAKE IT ON ONE MORE STOP. >> Mike: WHO IS THAT UP BY THE WALL ON TURN TWO WITH THE SAME PROBLEM? LABONTE? KENSETH! >> Darrell: THEY ARE RUNNING AT A FAST PACE. RUNNING 184 MILES AN HOUR. >> Mike: BIG CRASH, TURN THREE! >> WORKING BEHIND HERE. >> Mike: TOMMY BALDWIN. >> YELLOW, YELLOW, YELLOW. >> Mike: WITH THE 42 OF MONTOYA. >> Darrell: 24 IS IN THERE, TOO. >> Mike: LANDON CASSILL, MARTIN TRUEX. CARL EDWARDS. ARE ALL INVOLVED. AS ONE CAR SLOWED IN THE TOP LANE. BOBBY LABONTE AND EVERYBODY ELSE PILED IN. CAUTION! MATT KENSETH ON TO PIT ROAD. NOW PIT ROAD IS CLOSED. THEY WILL TAKE A LOOK AN SEE IF HE WAS ON PIT ROAD PRIOR TO THE CAUTION. >> Larry: AS LONG AS HE GOT BY THERE BEFORE THE CAUTION CAME OUT HE WILL BE JUST FINE. TALKING ABOUT MATT KENSETH. A LOT OF DAMAGE TO BLANEY 'S36 AND OTHERS. >> Mike: SEVERAL CARS WERE RUNNING OUT OF GAS. SOMEBODY IN TURN NUMBER THREE STACKED THEM UP. WATCH THE TWO WHITE CARS ON THE INSIDE LINE, AS THEY COME TO TURN THREE. WHOA! >> Darrell: THAT LOOKED LIKE BLANEY MIGHT HAVE HOOKED -- WAS IT CASSILL? >> Mike: CASSILL. >> Darrell: I THINK IT WAS. IT STARTED THAT. JEFF GORDON GETS POUNDED BY MARTIN TRUEX JUNIOR. HE HIT THE WALL HARD, JEFF GORDON DID. >> Mike: NOW HE DROVE AWAY. JEFF GORDON IS OKAY. HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK. ALMIROLA WAY DOWN. >> Darrell: YEAH. >> Mike: INSIDE. IT WAS NOT CASSILL BUT ALMIROLA AND BLANEY WHO TRIGGERED THIS. >> Darrell: YEAH. IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ALMIROLA'S CAR. OUT OF FUEL OR SOMETHING. >> Larry: WE WERE SEEING A LOT OF DRIVERS THAT APPEARED HAD SOMETHING GOING ON, ON THE LAST LAP BEFORE THIS. >> Darrell: WATCH JEFF HERE. HE GETS TURNED UP THE HILL. >> Larry: NOWHERE FOR MONTOYA AND THE 42 TO GO. >> Darrell: RIGHT INSIDE. CARL. >> Mike: NOT SURE IF ALMIROLA WAS TRYING TO COME BACK UP ON THE RACING SURFACE OR PERHAPS HE GOT HOOKED BY BLANEY TO START THAT. TRUEX CAME DOWN AND COLLECTED JEFF GORDON. >> Darrell: A HARD LICK. >> Mike: HARD HIT IN THE SAFER BARRIER OUTSIDE TURN THREE. >> Darrell: THANK THE LORD FOR SAFER BARRIERS. >> Mike: JEFF GORDON HAS DRIVEN IT STRAIGHT TO THE GARAGE FOR MAJOR REPAIRS. >> Darrell: CAN JEFF GORDON CATCH A BREAK? >> Larry: IT FALLS RIGHT IN LINE WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED TO HIM ALL YEAR LONG. >> Mike: THE WHOLE FRONT SHEET METAL OF -- IS THAT LANDON CASSILL? >> Darrell: YEAH. >> Mike: PEELED AWAY. DICK? >> Dick: MICHAEL WALTRIP MADE A PIT STOP FOR FOUR TIRES, MIKE. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE RUN THAT MICHAEL WALTRIP IS HAVING TODAY, REALIZE THIS IS HIS FIRST RACE OF THE YEAR. MATT? >> Matt: 18 OF KYLE BUSCH, SERVICE COMPLETE FOR HIM. HE TOOK ON FOUR TIRES ON THE PREVIOUS STOP. HE STARTED TO RUN OUT OF FUEL AS HE WAS MAKING HIS WAY TO PIT ROAD. CLOSE. STEVE? STEVIL FOUR TIRES FOR GREG BIFFLE. NO OTHER ADJUSTMENTS IN THE 16. >> Mike: KEEP IN MIND A LOT OF DRIVERS ALREADY MADE GREEN FLAG STOPS BEFORE THE CAUTION CAME OUT. >> Mike: MARTIN TRUEX OVERHEATING AND WITH BODY DAMAGE. WATCH THIS UNFOLD FROM KASEY KAHNE'S 5. WE ARE UNDER CAUTION WITH 44 TO GO IN TALLADEGA. >> THERE YOU GO. >>> THE AARON'S 499 ON FOX IS SPONSORED BY -- >> Mike: CAUTION IS OUT AT TALLADEGA. A LOT OF CARS UNDER REPAIR. DRIVERS BEGINNING TO WALK OUT OF THE CARE CENTER. THE FIRST OF THOSE IS JUAN PABLO MONTOYA. YOU MUST GO TO THE CARE CENTER IF YOU DO NOT DRIVE YOUR CAR TO THE GARAGE AFTER A CRASH. LET'S SHOW YOU AGAIN WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THE 43 OF ARIC ALMIROLA, DOWN ON THE APRON, AND THE 36 OF PLAIN BLANEY RIGHT BEHIND HIM. THERE IS FIRST CON TACK. >> Larry: YOU KNOW AT TALLADEGA WHEN TWO DRIVERS GET TOGETHER IT'S PULLING A PIN OUT OF A GRENADE. THE TWO CARS THAT STARTED IT GET INVOLVED AND A BUNCH OF THEM INVOLVED THEM. >> Mike: CARL EDWARDS GOT JACKED UP HIGH UP IN TURN THREE. >> Darrell: YOU CAN SEE ARIC ALMIROLA IN THE 43, TRYING -- HE MUST HAVE BEEN OUT OF FUEL. TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. DAVE BLANEY IN THE 36 TRIED TO CLEAR HIM. CLIPPED HIM AND SHOT HIM IN TO LANDON CASSILL. >> Mike: IZ'M UNSURE IF BLANEY BUMPED ALMIROLA -- WHAT I'M UNSHIRE IS BLANEY BUMPED ALMIROLA. >> Darrell: I COULDN'T TELL. >> Larry: JEFF GORDON WENT TO THE BOTTOM IN THE 24 CLEARING IT. TRUEX COMING DOWN THE BANKING DROVE STRAIGHT UP THE RACETRACK. >> Mike: WE LISTENED TO DAVE BLANEY'S IN-CAR AUDIO. >> 43 RAN OUT OF GAS. TRIED TO MISS HIM. I GOT IT. >> HOW BAD IS IT? WHAT WE GOT? >> IT'S BAD. >> Mike: ALL RIGHT. DICK BERGGREN IN THE GARAGE. >> Dick: JEFF GORDON YOU JUST WATCHED THE REPLAY ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE SITUATION? >> I DON'T KNOW, I DIDN'T GET TO SEE WHAT STARTED IT AND WHY THE CAR WAS LOW AND THEY GOT TOGETHER THAT GOT UP IN FRONT OF THE FIELD. I DIDN'T KNOW IF THEY WERE COMING OFF PIT ROAD OR RACING. NOT SURE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BIZARRE YEARS THAT THE DuPONT CHEVROLET TEAM AND DRIVE TO END HUNGER CHEVROLET HAS GONE THROUGH. ALMOST COMICAL. THAT WAS NOT FUN AND I DIDN'T LIKE HITTING THE WALL. BUT GOSH, I MEAN, I THOUGHT I WAS CLEAR. I WAS CRUISING BY ON THE INSIDE. LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE GOT MARTIN AND TURNED HIM IN TO ME. THAT'S THE WAY THE SEASON IS GOING. AWESOME RACECAR. THIS TEMP THING IS A JOKE. WE KNEW IT WOULD BE A BIG ISSUE. BUT WHEN YOU CAN'T RACE BECAUSE THE TEMPS IN A REGULAR PACK ARE AN ISSUE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT. TALLADEGA IS DIFFERENT THAN DAYTONA. TEMPS ARE DIFFERENT. WE GOT TO RECOGNIZE THAT. NOBODY IS PUSHING A LOT OUT THERE. WE KNOW IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AT THE END. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING ON THE COUCH WATCHING THIS RACE. I TELL YOU, THE LAST FIVE LAPS, NOBODY IS GOING TO BE SITTING DOWN. THAT'S FOR SURE. >> Dick: WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT AS WELL. MIKE? >> Mike: THANK YOU, DICK. JEFF GORDON AND JIMMIE JOHNSON BOTH OUT OF THE RACE. NOW DENNY HAMLIN WAS THE FIRST CAR ONE LAP DOWN. HE WILL BE THE AARON'S LUCKY DOG. YOU DON'T NEED CREDIT. YOU JUST NEED AARON'S. PAUL MENARD WILL BE POSTED AS THE LEADER BECAUSE THERE WILL BE PENALTIES UNDER THE CAUTION. MENARD COMING OFF PIT ROAD AS THE CAUTION WAVES. HE HAD PEAD HIS PIT STOP. EVERYONE ELSE ON LEAD LAP PITTED BEHIND HIM. THERE WILL BE PENALTIES FOR CARS THAT PITTED TOO SOON UNDER THE CAUTION BEFORE PIT ROAD WAS OFFICIALLY OPEN. WE'LL UPDATE YOU ON THOSE WHEN WE COME BACK. >> Chris: 40 LAPS TO GO, JUST OVER 100-MILES IN TALLADEGA. AROUND OR SECOND CAUTIONM TIME FOR AN AT&T RACE BREAK, BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE NATION'S LARGEST 4G NETWORK. RETHINK POSSIBLE. AS PAUL MENARD, AND MATT KENSETH THE LEADER. A QUICK RECAP. TONY STEWART, LEADING THE FIRST LAP. PUSHED BY MATT KENSETH. POLE-SITTER JEFF GORDON. TONY LED THE FIRST 16 LAPS OF THE RACE. RYAN NEWMAN WITH A BROKEN OIL PUMP. HAD A PROBLEM. CAME IN HERE TEN IN THE POINTS. JIMMIE JOHNSON WORKED HIS WAY IN THE LEAD, TOOK THE LEAD FROM MICHAEL WALTRIP WHO LED 21 LAPS. THEN JIMMIE JOHNSON HAD PROBLEMS WITH A BELT AND OIL PRESSURE AS WELL. DALE EARNHARDT JR. PUT THE FANS ON THEIR FEET IN ALABAMA CHEERING AS HE GOT IN THE LEAD AND LED TEN LAPS BUT MOVING BACK AND FORTH. THEN MOMENTS AGO, THIS IS WHAT CREATED THE SECOND CAUTION. AT LEAST NINE CARSVOD IN THIS, TRIGGERED BY A DAVE BLANEY, ARIC ALMIROLA AND LANDON CASSILL MISCUE. JEFF GORDON AND CARL EDWARDS CAUGHT UP IN THIS NINE-CAR CRASH. THAT PUT US IN THE POSITION WE ARE IN AT THE MOMENT. SEE HOW YOU DRIVER IS DOING IN THE AT&T FASTEST DRIVER CHALLENGE. TEXT 34763 OR VISIT AT&TFASTESTDRIVER.COM FOR A CHANCE TO WIN. WE'RE GETTING READY TO GO GREEN. LET'S HEAD BACK UPSTAIRS TO LARRY, DARRELL, MIKE. >> Mike: THANK YOU. A FEW CARS COME IN TO TOP OFF, TRYING TO MAKE THE DISTANCE. JOEY LOGANO WITH DAMAGE. DICK BERGGREN? >> Dick: MARTIN TRUEX'S DREAM SEASON CAME TO A CRASHING HALT MOMENTARILY. WHAT HAPPENED WITH YOU? >> I'M NOT SURE. WE WERE TAKING OUR TIME, TRYING TO GET TO THE END. THE NAPA CAR WAS FAST. WAITING UNTIL THE END TO USE IT. UNFORTUNATELY, WE DIDN'T MAKE IT THERE. NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED UP AHEAD. I ABOUT MADE IT THROUGH THERE AND SPINNING DOWN THE TRACK A LITTLE BIT. THE 24 CAME ALONG AND HIT US. THAT KILLED THE CAR. BEFORE THAT, WE WERE GOING TO BE OKAY. ONE OF THE DEAL, NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED UP AHEAD. A LOT OF SMOKE. STOPPING IN FRONT OF ME, TRIED TO TURN DOWN. TURN TO GET BELOW HIM. GOT IN THE SIDE OF THE 20, SIDEWAYS AND I GOT HIT. >> Dick: MIKE? >> Mike: LANDON CASSILL RELEASED FROM THE CARE CENTER. SOME DRIVERS PITTED TOO EARLY. THEY ARE PENALIZED AS A RESULT. INCLUDING MATT KENSETH AND MARCOS AMBROSE. LOOK AT THE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN. CAUTION IS OUT. THAT LIGHT INDICATES PIT ROAD IS CLOSED. THE FLAG WAVING AS WELL. BOTH DRIVERS, AMBROSE AND KENSETH WERE HEADED TO PIT ROAD. INSTEAD OF STAYING ON THE RACETRACK, MALFED THEIR STOPS. IN ADDITION TO THEM, KURT BUSCH AND BOBBY LABONTE WERE OUT OF GAS AND PITTED TOO SOON. CARS UNDER PENALTY HAVE TO LINE UP AT THE BACK. LEAD LAP CARS DOUBLE FILE AND THEN CARS A LAP MORE OR DOWN, FREE PASS CAR HAMLIN AND ANYONE WHO TOOK THE WAVE-AROUND. PENALTY CARS. WE GO BACK TO GREEN WITH 38 LAPS TO GO. THREE CARS TOOK THE WAVE-AROUND. JEFF BURTON, TONY STEWART AND TREVOR BAYNE. THEY WILL GET BACK ON THE LEAD LAP. PAUL MENARD, BRAD KESELOWSKI FIGHT FOR THE LEAD. >> Darrell: A NICE DRAG RACE OFF TURN TWO. SEE WHO GETS THE PUSH. I LOVE THAT. THAT IS WHAT THE SPOTTER WOULD SAY. YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT LINE, YOU ARE GETTING A PUSH. THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR. >> Larry: IT APPEARS WE'LL SEE MOVEMENT AS WE HAVE 38 LAPS TO GO. KESELOWSKI, HE WANTS TO LEAD AND PUSHED BY BOWYER IN THE 15. >> Mike: A LOT OF SMOKE, ALLMENDINGER GOING UP IN SMOKE. WHAT WAS THAT? >> Darrell: STAY-DRI. >> Mike: THANK GOODNESS. >> Darrell: I HEARD FROM THE PIT THE GUYS WEREN'T OUT OF FUEL. THE FUEL IS VAPORIZING. LIKE THE ENGINES ARE VAPOR LOCKING AND THEY HAVE TO COME TO PIT ROAD EARLIER. >> Larry: THIS IS THE HOTTEST TEMPERATURES WE'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH. ALLMENDINGER DROPPED TO SECOND, NO PROBLEM. JUST RAN THROUGH SPEEDI-DRI. DICK? >> Dick: CARL, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? >> I AM GLAD YOU KEEPING A SPLIT SCREEN SO I CAN WATCH THIS THING. IT'S INSANE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. EVERYTHING HELD TOGETHER SO WE HAVE TO THANK FASTENAL FOR THAT. PEOPLE JUST RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. THIS IS A CRAZY RACE. RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE WATCHING THE GUYS WITH THREE WIDE, BUMPER TO BUMPER. THE BEST PACKAGE WE HAD HERE. THE WRECK IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE PACKAGE BUT PEOPLE MISCALCULATED THE FUEL. I'LL GO IN AND WATCH THE REST OF THE BROADCAST. THANK TO FORD AND I HOPE MATT HAS A GREAT WIN IN A FORD FUSION. >> Dick: THANK YOU. >> Mike: KESELOWSKI AND ALLMENDINGER LEAD THEM ACROSS. HAMLIN GOT A FREE PASS. HERE HE COMES. >> Darrell: WE KNEW HE HAD A FAST CAR. HE STAYED WITH THE LEADERS AND HUNG WITH THEM UNTIL THE CAUTION CAME OUT. HE HAS A BAD-FAST CAR. >> Larry: ANOTHER DRIVER WITH A BAD-FAST CAR IS KEVIN HARVICK IN THE 29. HE IS A LAP DOWN, TRYING TO GET UP THERE. GET A CAUTION AND HE CAN MAYBE GET BACK ON THE LEAD LAP. >> Mike: KRISTA, HOW ABOUT HAMLIN? >> Krista: SOMETHING ELSE, TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE LONG CAUTION TO FIX AN ON-BOARD FAN. DENNY COMPLAINED IT WASN'T WORKING AFTER THE SECOND PIT STOP OF THE RACE. HE PUT UP WITH IT AND THEY SAID HEY, IF IT WILL HELP AND YOU NEED IT, DO IT NOW. THEY FIXED THE FAN IN THE LAST LONG CAUTION. >> Larry: GETTING THE FREE PASS THEY HAD NOTHING TO LOSE. THEY WOULD START NEAR THE REAR OF THE FIELD. >> Darrell: LIKE GUYS PENALIZED FOR PITTING EARLY. BIG DEAL. THEY CAME BACK IN, TOPPED UP WITH FUEL AND GOOD TO GO. MATT KENSETH I ASSURE YOU WILL BE BACK AT THE FRONT BEFORE TOO LONG. >> Mike: QUESTION MARK. MAYBE KESELOWSKI, HE PITTED AT LAP 142, WHICH EVEN WITH THE CAUTION LAPS HE HAS TO RUN 46 LAPS. >> Larry: WE KNOW THE DODGE DRIVERS INCLUDING HIS TEAMMATE ALLMENDINGER THE 2 # PUSHED HIM -- 22 PUSHED HIM. STEVE, I DON'T THINK THEY CAN MAKE IT WITHOUT PITTING. >> Steve: THE INFORMATION FROM THE 2 CAR IS THEY ARE OKAY TO MAKE IT TO THE END PLUS ONE LAP. >> Darrell: LAST TIME WE SAID, "I DON'T THINK HE CAN MAKE IT," HE WON KANSAS. >> Larry: THAT'S RIGHT. >> Mike: GOOD POINT. >> Larry: THEY ARE BANKING ON THE CAUTION LAPS HELPING THEM. YOU HAVE DON'T USE NEAR THE FUEL. >> Darrell: BUT WHO HAS HAD THE MOST FUEL PARTS OF ANYBODY IN THE SPORT THIS YEAR? THE 2 CAR AND 22 CAR. >> Mike: JON WOLFE, BRAD KESELOWSKI'S CREW CHIEF LOOKING OVER ON THE RIGHT. >> Darrell: A CALM, COOL CHARACTER AND SHARP AS A TACK. LOOK AT THE CARS WOBBLE AROUND. THAT ALWAYS MAKES MY HEART SKIP A BEAT. >> Mike: THE ONLY CARS A LAP DOWN TO LEADERS ARE HARVICK, GILLILAND, KVAPIL. THAT WILL BE THE FIGHT FOR THE FREE PASS SHOULD WE GET ANOTHER CAUTION. 34 LAPS TO GO. UAW >> Mike: THAT IS NOTED ARTIST SAM BASS, DOES A LOT OF PROGRAM COVERS AND PAINT SCHEMES. AARON'S CONTACTED SAM TO TRY TO MAKE A UNIQUE TROPHY FOR RACE INCORPORATING HIS ORIGINAL ART WORK TO MAKE IT ONE OF A KIND. MAKE AN IMAGE OF THE DRIVER, WINNING DRIVER STANDING ATOP A CUSTOM PAINTING OF THE WINNING CAR. SAM BEGUN THE PAINTING IN VICTORY LANE AND WILL FINISH IT BACK AT HIS SHOP AND THEN DELIVER AND INSERT THE PAINTING IN THE TROPHY AT THE WINNING TEAM'S SHOP. ONLY QUESTION IS CAN'T GET TOO FAR IN THE PAINTING PROCESS, BECAUSE WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU USE? WHO WILL IT BE? >> Larry: RIGHT NOW IT'S BLACK. DENNY HAMLIN IN THE 11 CAR. REMEMBER, THE LAST CAUTION GOT THE FREE PASS. HERE HE IS TAKING A LEAD IN THE RACE. >> Darrell: IT'S A COUPLE OF TOYOTA RIGHT THERE WORKING TOGETHER. THAT IS WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO WIN THIS THING. YOU TO HAVE HELP. >> Mike: THE TWO PENALTY CARS, KENSETH, HAS FOUGHT HIS WAY BACK. THREE PENALTY CARS THAT IS. TO SIXTH. KURT BUSCH TO NINTH. MARCOS AMBROSE TO 12th. SO CARS THAT WERE UNDER PENALTY MADE THEIR WAY BACK TO CONTENTION. >> Darrell: LARRY AND I WERE TALKING, WHY WOULD THEY PIT? 17. THEY SAW THE PIT WAS CLOSED. I DON'T THINK THEY CARED. THE CAR IS THAT FAST. THEY'RE CONFIDENT. >> Mike: LOOK WHO IS LEADING THE OUTSIDE LINE. >> Larry: KENSETH FOUND A NEW FRIEND, CASEY MEARS IN THE 13 CAR. HE IS UP THERE TRYING TO LEAD THE RACE. >> Darrell: HE IS BASICALLY A TEAMMATE. YOU KNOW, MANUFACTURER TO MANUFACTURER. THEY ARE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER. >> Mike: A ROUSH FENWAY CUSTOMER CAR. THE FORD. STEVE, HOW ABOUT THE BLUE DEUCE? >> Steve: BRAD KESELOWSKI TOLD THE TEAM TELL A.J. I'LL BE MORE AGGRESSIVE WHEN IT COUNTS, WHEN I NEED TO. >> Mike: THE TWO DODGES, 2, 22, TRYING TO DO SOMETHING THAT NOBODY HAS DONE AT TALLADEGA IN 36 YEARS. IN A DODGE. WIN. DAVE MARCUS, 1976, THE LAST DODGE VICTORY HERE. >> Darrell: THE LAST TIME HE WAS AGGRESSIVE WHEN HE NEEDED TO, HE WON THE RACE. >> Larry: TELL YOU WHO GOT AGGRESSIVE GOING IN ONE. MATT KENSETH GAVE CASEY MEARS A SHOVE IN THE 13 CAR. HE LED THEM THROUGH ONE AND TWO THAT TIME. >> Mike: KESELOWSKI GAVE BOWYER THE BOOT. ON THE LOW GROOVE AS WELL. >> Darrell: THERE IS RICKY BOBBY, HE IS IN THERE PUSHING HIM ALONG AS WELL. TIGHTENING IT UP. TIGHTEN IT UP, BOYS. >> Larry: WATCH HOW MUCH CASEY MEARS SPEED WILL PUSH UP BY THE PUSH THERE BY KENSETH. >> Darrell: THE 17 HAS GOOD SUCK-UP AND HE IS GIVING HIM A SHOVE. >> Mike: HAD THAT BEEN THE LAST LAP, MEARS WOULD HAVE WON IT. WITH THE PUSH FROM KENSETH. >> Darrell: I LOVE IT HERE. 162 LAPS. IT'S PICKING UP. I MEAN YOU CAN FEEL THE INTENSITY PICKING UP. >> Mike: 26 LAPS TO GO. DON'T TOUCH THAT DIAL. CASEY MEARS LEADS AT TALLADEGA. >> Mike: 24 LAPS TO GO, DENNY HAMLIN'S TOYOTA IN FRONT. CLINT BOWYER'S TOYOTA. CASEY MEARS IN THE FORD, BRAD KESELOWSKI IN A DODGE, KURT BUSCH IN A CHEVROLET. ANY ONE OF THOSE FOUR MAKES COULD WIN IT. DEFENSIVE I THINK BOWYER HAD TO BAIL OUT THERE -- >> Darrell: I THINK BOWYER HAD TO BAIL OUT THERE. MAYBE A HEATING ISSUE OR MAYBE HE WANTS TO LEAD THE RACE BUT HE BAILED OUT BEHIND DENNY HAMLIN AWFULLY QUICK. >> Larry: IF YOU THINK OF BOWYER IN THE 15 CAR, HE FINISHED FIRST OR SECOND IN THE LAST THREE RACES. >> Darrell: HE KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT THIS JOINT. >> Larry: I LIKE THE PAINT SCHEME. >> Darrell: I KNOW YOU DO. YOU GOT THE HAT ON. FEELING IT. >> Mike: LAST OCTOBER HE BEAT THE TEAMMATE HERE OFF THE FINAL CORNER. JEFF BURTON WAS LEADING AND BOWYER DRAFTED PAST FOR THE WIN. >> Darrell: HOW ABOUT THE 13 CAR, THOUGH, MEARS. HE IS HANGING RIGHT THERE, BUDDY. >> Larry: MOST OF THE DRIVERS CAME TO PIT ROAD AND TOPPED OFF WHEN WE HAD ONE TO GO. DENNY HAMLIN TO THE BOTTOM. NOBODY PUSHED HIM. HE MIGHT LEAD THE LAP COMING BACK TO THE STRIPE. >> Mike: KENSETH. IT LOOKED LIKE HE MIGHT HAVE BOUNCED OFF CASEY MEARS TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM BEHIND HAMLIN. KURT BUSCH IN THE MIDDLE. >> Darrell: THERE IS SHAKING AND BAKING GOING ON. WHOOPHI! JUNEBUG ON THE OUTSIDE. >> Mike: FOUR WIDE. >> Larry: AT OVER 195 MILES AN HOUR. >> Mike: I THINK IT GOT TRIGGERED WHEN KENSETH TRIED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM. >> Darrell: IT DID. >> Mike: THEN EVERYBODY HAD TO SCATTER AND LOOK FOR A PLACE TO RACE. >> Darrell: THERE YOU GO. LOOK AT THE SPEED. 201. TEN MILES PER HOUR. >> Mike: NINE OR TEN MILES AN HOUR DIFFERENCE. TWO CARS PUSHING BUT YOU CAN'T DO THAT FOR LONG. >> Darrell: I THINK MATT KENSETH IS RIGHT WHERE HE WANTS TO BE AND PLANS ON STAYING. >> Mike: RIGHT OUT FRONT. >> Larry: THE CLOSER TO THE FINISH THE LEAST AMOUNT THEY WORRY ABOUT IT. DAMAGE ON MATT KENSETH RIGHT FRONT FENDER. I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED WHILE AGO. >> Mike: WHEN HE AND MEARS GOT TOGETHER KENSETH FOUGHT TO GET TO THE BOTTOM. >> Darrell: IT HELPED IT. NARROWED IT UP A LITTLE BIT. >> Mike: AERIAL COVERAGE BROUGHT THE YOU BY DirecTV. ONLY DirecTV GIVES YOU DEDICATED DRIVER CHANNELS SO YOU NEVER MISS A SECOND OF YOUR DRIVER'S RACE. CALL 1-800-DirecTV. >> Darrell: YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SEEING, GUYS? NO MORE MR. NICE GUY. IT'S PUTTING IT ALL ON THE LINE NOW. >> Mike: YOU MADE YOUR LAST PIT STOP, DARRELL. IF ONE DRIVER BOBBLES EVERYBODY HAS TO TRY TO CAPITAL THAT INSTANT OR LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY. >> Darrell: YOU GOT IT. POSITION IS EVERYTHING. IT'S GETTING MORE AND MORE INTENSE AS WE WIND DOWN HERE. >> Mike: WE SAW DENNY HAMLIN'S 11, PEAK THE NOSE HIGH. >> Darrell: HAMLIN IS MOVING AROUND A LOT BEHIND KESELOWSKI. THAT UPSETS THAT CAR. KESELOWSKI'S CAR WHEN YOU DO THAT. >> Larry: TALLADEGA IS KNOWN FOR PRODUCING FIRST-TIME WINNERS. OUR LITTLE MAN, A.J. ALLMENDINGER THERE IN THE 2 # CAR RUNNING FOURTH. HE WANTS TO BECOME THE 11th FIRST-TIME WINNER HERE AT TALLADEGA. >> Mike: BOWYER ON THE OUTSIDE WITH KURT BUSCH. TRYING TO GAIN SOME GROUND FROM NINTH. BEHIND THEM COME HARVICK, KAHNE AND MEARS. 19 LAPS TO GO. >> Mike: 17 LAPS TO GO. MATT KENSETH'S FORD, BRAD KESELOWSKI'S DODGE. DENNY HAMLIN, A.J. ALLMENDINGER, CLINT BOWYER. ALL IN A POSITION TO WIN, BUT SO ARE THE 15 CARS BEHIND THEM. MATT KENSETH CLINCHED THE BONUS POINT FOR LEADING THE MOST LAPS, FIRST TIME HE HAS EVER DONE IN A RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACE. HE HAS BEEN IN 50 OF THEM. FIRST TIME HE LED THE MOST LAPS. THAT NUMBER 17 HAS BEEN CLASS OF THE FIELD ALL DAY. >> Darrell: IT HAS. BUT I WATCH DENNY HAMLIN, MAN, HE GETS A RUN EVERY NOW AND THEN AND HE HAS A BURST OF SPEED IN THAT CAR. KEEP AN EYE ON THE 11 CAR. >> Mike: TODAY'S FIVE-HOUR ENERGY BIG MOVE OF THE RACE. AFTER BEING PENALIZED FOR PITTING TOO SOON WHEN THE CAUTION FLAG CAME OUT AT LAP 143. KENSETH STARTED TAIL END OF THE FIELD. AND WORKED HIS WAY BACK TO THE FRONT WITH AN ASSIST FROM BRAD KESELOWSKI. >> Darrell: JUST LOOK AT THAT. MIKE, THE 17 CAR JUMPED TO THE OUTSIDE. TRIED TO PICK UP DENNY HAMLIN. HE KNOWS HE IS PRETTY FAST. THEY CAN'T GET TO HIS REAR BUMPER. THEY CAN GET UP THERE TO HIM, WHERE HAMLIN IS BUT THEY CAN'T BUST BY HIM. >> Mike: KENSETH, THE LEADER. HAMLIN SECOND. KESELOWSKI, BOWYER, THIRD AND FOURTH, SIDE-BY-SIDE. KURT BUSCH, WHAT A GREAT RUN FOR THE JAMES FINCH TEAM. THEY KNOW THE WAY TO VICTORY LANE HERE. PAUL MENARD, THE BRIGHT YELLOW CAR ON THE INSIDE. SIXTH. WITH BUSCH, KEVIN HARVICK FOUGHT HIS WAY BACK FROM BEING A LAP DOWN. HE AND BIFFLE, POINT LEADER IN THE 16. KYLE BUSCH, CASEY MEARS, IT'S HARD TO PICK A WINNER OUT OF THIS PACK AT THIS POINT, MATT? >> Matt: ABSOLUTELY, MIKE. THAT IS THE DEAL WITH HARVICK. RIGHT NOW, THE STRATEGY, HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE RUNNING THIS FAR UP, BECAUSE THE CAR CONTINUES TO GET HOT. HE HAS TO TRY TO STAY AHEAD OF THE OTHER LAPPED DOWN CARS TO HOLD HIS POSITION SO HE CAN GET BACK UP TO THE LEAD IF WE GET A CAUTION. >> Larry: OF OUR TOP 20 DRIVERS RIGHT NOW, THE ONES I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS ON THEIR FUEL SITUATION, I FEEL LIKE FOR SURE TREVOR BAYNE AND TONY STEWART WILL HAVE TO MAKE A STOP. THE OTHER TWO, STEVE BYRNES TALKED ABOUT, KESELOWSKI FEELING OKAY. BUT ALSO WOULD BE PAUL MENARD IN THE 27. >> Darrell: AGAIN, LOOK AT THE 17. THE 15 OF BOWYER GOT A LITTLE RUN UP THE OUTSIDE. KENSETH WHEN UP. KIND OF BLOCKED HIM A LITTLE BIT. FELL RIGHT BACK DOWN IN FRONT OF THE 11 OF HAMLIN. HE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO DICTATE WHO IS GOING TO DO WHAT RIGHT NOW. I THINK HE WANTS THAT 11 CAR BEHIND HIM BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE'S FAST. I SAY THAT BECAUSE HE DOESN'T WANT HIM OUT THERE MESSING AROUND MAYBE GETTING BY HIM. >> Larry: KASEY KAHNE. >> Mike: IN THE MIDDLE. BETWEEN DAVID RAGAN AND A.J. ALLMENDINGER WHO DROPPED BACK FROM THE LEAD PACK A BIT. JEFF BURTON HAS BEEN ON PIT ROAD. HE CAME IN TO TOP OFF, SO THAT HE COULD GO THE DISTANCE. >> Darrell: THIS COULD SPLIT THEM UP RIGHT HERE. YOU SEE RIGHT NOW, HAMLIN GOT A NICE RUN UP THE INSIDE. CAN HE SQUEEZE THROUGH? HE IS TRYING TO PUSH. TRYING TO PUSH MATT UP THE HILL. >> Mike: MEARS AROUND. CAUTION WAVES. TREVOR BAYNE. ON THE WAY DOWN THE BANKING. THAT IS A TOUGH BREAK FOR TWO TALENTED YOUNG DRIVERS WHO BOTH HAD A CHANCE AT A GREAT FINISH TODAY. CAUTION AT LAP 176. >> Darrell: NOT SURE THE 2 21 GOT A LOT OF DAMAGE. MAYBE A IT WILL TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. JOEY LOGANO. HE HAD DAMAGE FROM EARLIER ACCIDENT. >> Mike: CASEY MEARS ON THE OUTSIDE. SEE WHAT HAPPENS HERE. >> Darrell: HE WOBBLED A LITTLE BIT RIGHT THERE. THEN HE HAD A PROBLEM, MAYBE. MARCOS AMBROSE IN THE 9 GOT INTO HIM. >> Larry: GOT INTO HIM IN THE LEFT REAR. WE KNOW THAT WILL TURN THE DRIVERS AROUND. >> Darrell: TREVOR BAYNE IN THE 21 TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE HE IS GOING, WHERE IS HE GOING? I THINK HE JUST KISSED HIM WHEN HE WENT BY. >> Mike: YEAH. NEAR HERE COMES LOGANO IN THE YELLOW CAR. AND HE ALREADY HAD THAT DAMAGE ON THE RIGHT REAR FENDER. THERE IS MEARS. >> Darrell: LET'S SEE IT. HE WOBBLES A LITTLE BIT RIGHT HERE. I DON'T KNOW IF HE GOT CONTACT. YOU SEE THE CAR GETTING CRAZY. I CAN'T TELL IF HE HAD A FLAT TIRE OR AMBROSE WAS JUST SO CLOSE. I THINK HE MAY HAVE HAD A TIRE GOING DOWN. YEAH. >> Larry: HE WAS WOBBLING A TON. >> Darrell: YOU JUST SAW IT COME OFF. I THINK HE HAD TIRE GOING DOWN AND HE STARTED TO WOBBLE AND GOT CONTACT FROM MARCOS AMBROSE AND TOOK HIM AROUND. HE BARELY CLIPPED THE 21 CAR. >> Mike: ONE MORE LOOK AT IT. NO WAY FOR AMBROSE TO AVOID IT. >> Darrell: NO. >> Mike: THE LOSS OF MOMENTUM AND AMBROSE IS FULL THROTTLE. >> Darrell: NO WAY DID MARCOS DO ANYTHING WRONG. YOU SEE THE TIRE COME OFF THERE. THAT TIRE WAS GOING DOWN. >> Mike: RIDING WITH KASEY KAHNE. >> CHECKING UP. DOWN LOW, DOWN LOW. THERE YOU GO. CAUTION, CAUTION. >> Mike: KASEY KAHNE. LUCKY THAT WASN'T A BIGGER PILEUP. >> Darrell: THE WIG WRECK IN TURN THREE KASEY KAHNE GOT THROUGH IT. IT'S BEEN HIS LUCKY DAY. >> Mike: PIT ROAD IS OPEN. THEY'RE COMING UP TO LAP JEFF BURTON HE WAS STILL ON THE LEAD LAP. SO KEVIN HARVICK WILL BE THE LUCKY DOG. HERE COMES HAMLIN. >> Larry: THESE DRIVERS, THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE. WE KNEW TONY STEWART IN THE 14 WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PIT FOR FUEL. THE DRIVERS ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE. MATT? >> Matt: ABSOLUTELY, LARRY Mac. THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE ON AT LEAST RIGHT-SIDE TIRES IN THE 15. AND PUT HIM IN SAFETY ZONE. >> Krista: DENNY HAMLIN KNEW HE WAS "ON FIELD." AND DARIAN GRUBB SAID IF IT'S GREEN-WHITE-CHECKER WE HAVE TO BE SAFE. WE'RE COMING IN FOR THE ALL-IMPORTANT FUEL. >> Larry: THAT IS A GREAT POINT. WE KNOW THE CHANCES OF HAVING ONE, TWO, MAYBE THREE GREEN-WHITE-CHECKERS. THEY'RE VERY POSSIBLE HERE. >> Mike: DENNY HAMLIN GETS FIRED UP, AS THE HOOD GOES UP ON TONY STEWART'S CAR. >> Darrell: THERE, THEY ARE TRYING TO COOL IT DOWN OR DO THEY HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE? >> Larry: HE HAS BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE. I WATCH HIM RIDING ON THE APRON AND ON THE FLAT, EVEN WHEN THEY WERE OUT THERE GREEN FLAG RACING. >> Mike: TRYING TO GET CLEAN AIR. TO THAT RADIATOR. >> Darrell: SEE IF WE CAN GET A -- GET IN-RACE REPORT WHAT DO YOU SAY FROM OUR BUDDY? MICHAEL, D.W., GOT A COPY, BUDDY? >> 10-4, BROTHER. >> Darrell: MAN, YOU FELL BACK. YOU ALL RIGHT? >> YEAH. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. WE WERE GOING TO MAKE A RUN AND I THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE ACTION. SO TONY AND DALE JR. WERE BACK THERE. I THOUGHT I'D RETREAT FOR A BIT. NOW I GOT TO GO. >> Darrell: WHAT DO YOU THINK? YOU GOT A SHOT? >> WELL, I DEFINITELY HAVE A FAST TOYOTA. THE AARON'S DREAM MACHINE IS RUNNING GOOD. BUDDY IS IN FRONT OF ME. I HOPE TO GET THE SPOTTER TOGETHER TO SEE WHAT DENNY WANTS TO DO. IF HE WANTS TO WAIT A COUPLE OF LAPS AND THEN GO OR JUST GET RIGHT AFTER IT. SO, TRY TO GET MY SPOTTER TO COMMUNICATE WITH DENNY'S GUY TO SEE WHERE WE GO. WE GOT THE LEAD EARLIER BY WORKING WITH HIM. IT WILL BE EXCITING, MAN. I GOT YOU RIDING RIGHT HERE WITH ME! >> Darrell: LOVE THE HELMET, MAN. THE 111 FAST. IF YOU HANG OUT WITH HIM, YOU'LL BE ALL RIGHT. >> Mike: THAT IS DARRELL -- >> IF I'M GOING DOWN, I WANT TO GO DOWN HAULING THE MAIL. HE HAULS MAIL. KIND OF WHAT IT SAYS ON HIS CAR. >> Darrell: GOOD LUCK, BUDDY. BRING HER HOME. >> Mike: CASEY MEARS GETS ATTENTION AFTER THE THIRD CAUTION OF THE DAY AT LAP 176. >> Mike: 10 LAPS TO GO. GETTING READY FOR THE RESTART. KEVIN HARVICK IS THE AARON'S LUCKY DOG. YOU HAVE DON'T NEED CREDIT. ALL YOU NEED IS AARON'S. WE'LL RESTART 21st. 21 DRIVERS CAN WIN IT. LED BY MATT KENSETH AND BRAD KESELOWSKI. >> Darrell: I DON'T BELIEVE YOU CAN BLOW ONE OF THESE THINGS UP IN TEN LAPS BY GETTING IT HOT. WE'RE GETTING READY TO FIND OUT. >> Larry: I DON'T BELIEVE THEY CARE. >> Darrell: I DON'T CARE. >> Mike: YOU THINK PACK RACING IS OVER? IT'S ALL GOING TO BE PAIRS RACING FROM HERE? >> Darrell: OH, BOY, GET YOUR BEST HOLD AND HANG ON. >> Mike: THEY WILL TAKE THE GREEN FLAG WITH NINE TO GO. >> Darrell: THEY'RE IN THE BOX. THERE THEY GO. THE DRAG RACE RIGHT NOW. >> Mike: KENSETH, BUSCH, BIFFLE, VERSUS KESELOWSKI, MENARD AND KYLE BUSCH. >> Larry: BOTH KENSETH AN KESELOWSKI GOT A GREAT PUSH OFF TURN ONE. KURT BUSCH IN THE 51, HE IS JUST GOING TO STAY WITH KENSETH. MENARD, THE 27 DROPS TO THE BOTTOM. >> Darrell: DROP RIGHT IN THERE. NICE MOVE, EVERYTHING WORKED OUT GOOD. DON'T LOOK BACK. HERE COME THE HOUNDS! >> Mike: OF THE OUTSIDE. KYLE BUSCH, A.J. ALLMENDINGER IN THE 22. THEY MAKE THE CHALLENGE. WORK THEIR WAY UP SIDE-BY-SIDE FOR THIRD. >> Larry: YOU SAW BIFFLE IN THE 16 GIVE MENARD IN THE 27 A SHOT. THERE WAS NOWHERE TO GO. THEY WERE BOXED IN RIGHT THERE. >> Darrell: THE 17 HAS BEEN GOING ALL DAY LONG. I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL HAVE ANOTHER, IF HE HAS ANYTHING FOR THEM OR NOT. >> Mike: EIGHT LAPS TO GO. 1-1/2 CAR LENGTHS THE ADVANTAGE FOR KENSETH. DARRELL, IF YOU'RE BACK HERE 12th ON BACK IS IT TOO LATE? >> Darrell: I CAN'T MAKE THAT PREDICTION. I JUST DON'T REALLY, YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN. IF THEY GET TO RACING, IF THEY RACE UP FRONT IT MAKES EVERYBODY A PLAYER. YOU SEE ON THE OUTSIDE, DO YOU SEE WHO THAT IS? >> Mike: SMOKE. >> Darrell: TONY STEWART. >> Mike: KEVIN HARVICK. >> Darrell: AND WHERE DID THEY COME FROM? THEY ARE COMING TO THE FRONT, BABY. >> Larry: TONY STEWART IN THE 14, ONE OF THE DRIVERS THAT CAME TO PIT ROAD THAT LAST CAUTION. >> Mike: OH, NO! KURT BUSCH. BIG SLIDE. >> IT'S ALL GOOD. >> Mike: CATCHES THE WALL. THEN COLLECTS IT FURTHER DOWN. >> Larry: WHAT A HEART-BREAKER. >> Mike: FOR KURT BUSCH. >> Darrell: SO GOOD. SO LONG. >> Mike: BUT STILL ON THE LEAD LAP. >> Darrell: YEAH, BUT -- AND HE MADE SLIGHT CONTACT BUT THAT'S ALL IT TAKES. THE RIGHT SIDE IS TORN UP, I THINK. >> Mike: REAR SPOILER LOOKS BAD, DARRELL. >> Darrell: HE CAME ALL THE WAY FROM THE TRIOVAL, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO HIT AT THE LAST, LAST LITTLE BIT. >> Mike: COMING TO PIT ROAD THE WRONG WAY, WHICH IS GOING TO PUT HIM A LAP DOWN. THE SPOILER LOOKED FINE. THE RIGHT REAR SHEET METAL ON THE QUARTER PANEL MIGHT HAVE GOT DAMAGE. >> Darrell: THIS IS A MOVE RICKY BOBBY WOULD MAKE RIGHT HERE. GOING THE WRONG WAY DOWN PIT ROAD. >> Larry: MAY NOT BE A MOVE THAT MAKES NASCAR HAPPY. >> Darrell: NO. RICKY IS GOING TO HAVE A LITTLE PROBLEM ON HIS HANDS. >> LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENED HERE. AS KURT BUSCH SWINGS IT AROUND. THERE HE IS IN SECOND PLACE. RIGHT FROM FRONT OF KESELOWSKI. >> Darrell: JUST EVERYBODY, KESELOWSKI, JUST CAUGHT HIM ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BUMPER. >> Mike: WHILE HE WAS TURNING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRI OVAL. >> Darrell: TRYING TO MOVE, MAKING A MOVE. THE TRIOVAL IS THE HARDEST PART OF THIS RACETRACK. IT SAY IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I KNOW IT LOOKS SIMPLE, BUT IT'S THE HARDEST PART. >> Larry: YOU CAN SEE THERE IS A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE 51 CAR OF KURT BUSCH. >> Darrell: LOOK AT THE SLIDE. HE SLID -- THAT IS THE ENTRANCE OF PIT ROAD, MIDOF THE TRIOVAL. WATCH, HERE HE GOES. DOWN, HE HAS GOT IT, HE'S GOT IT, HE'S GOT IT. HE MISSED IT THERE. AND THEN THAT LAST LITTLE BIT. >> Larry: THE BOYS WERE TEAMMATES OVER AT PENSKE RACING FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, KESELOWSKI AND KURT BUSCH. >> Mike: ONE MOMENT YOU ARE IN POSITION TO WIN. THE NEXT MOMENT YOU ARE SLIDING SIDEWAYS AT 190 MILES PER HOUR. BUT DARRELL, I THINK YOU TALKED ABOUT IT. WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO TEN LAPS TO GO, NOT WORRIED ABOUT HOW HOT IT IS RUNNING OR ANYTHING BUT THE CHECKERED FLAG. >> Darrell: NO, SIR. THE CAUTION FLAGS ARE RAMPING IT UP THAT MUCH MORE. >> Mike: STEVE? >> Steve: A SHORT COMMENT FROM BRAD KESELOWSKI. HE SAID, "I WANTED HIM TO SWITCH LANES. THAT IS THE LAST THING I WANTED TO DO." >> WE'RE UNDER CAUTION WITH SIX TO GO FOR KURT BUSCH'S SPIN. WE LISTENED IN ON KURT BUSCH. >> HANG ON, BUDDY. HANG ON, BUDDY. HANG ON. >> I THINK WE HIT, I DON'T THINK WE HIT -- YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO HIT. >> I DON'T KNOW. WHY IS EVERY TIME BRAD IS BEHIND ME, THE CAR WON'T STAY UNDERNEATH ME? >> Darrell: YOU KNOW, THERE IS NOTHING -- THIS IS HOW CLOSE YOU ARE RACING. IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T MOVE OR YOU DON'T GO IN THE DIRECTION THE OTHER GUY EXPECTS YOU TO, YOU MAKE CONTACT. JUST IN THE WRONG PLACE. WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT A LITTLE PART OF THE NUMBER 17 DAR. 17 CAR. IT SEEMS INSIGNIFICANT BUT IT'S THE "B" POST. IT'S RIGHT HERE. THAT IS BUSTED. NOW IT PROBABLY WON'T CAUSE A PROBLEM. BUT THAT IS WHAT THE WINDOW NET IS HOOKED TO. IT MIGHT, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S PULLING THAT LOOSE. IF IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO BREAK OFF DOWN IN HERE. HE WOULD HAVEN'T A WINDOW NET. >> Larry: DARRELL, YOU KNOW THAT WINDOW OR DEBRIS NET, THEY MAKE IT JUST AS TIGHT AS POSSIBLE WHERE IT DON'T FLAP AND DISTURB THE AIR. I GET A FEELING THIS MAY BE A BRAND NEW CAR. WE KNOW WHERE THE CATEGORY FIVE WINNING CAR IS. IT'S IN THE DAYTONA EXPERIENCE. >> Darrell: I WAS JUST NOTICING THAT CRACK IN THE "B" PILLAR THERE. THAT IS A CRITICAL PART OF THE CAR AS FAR AS AIR GOING BY THE CAR. YOU SEE IT FLAPPING IN THE WIND RIGHT THERE. THAT HOLDS THE WINDOW NET. THEY GOT THAT BRACKET FOR THE WINDOW NET HOOKS TO THAT. THAT THING SHOULD HAPPEN TO BREAK OFF OR COLLAPSE, YOU'D HAVE A PROBLEM. >> Mike: YEAH, HE WOULD HAVE TO PIT. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RACE WITHOUT A WINDOW NET. CHRIS MYERS? >> Chris: MIKE, QUICK RECAP. WE HAVE HIT A HIGH MARK FOR LEADERS THIS SEASON IN ANY RACE. 17 AND LEAD CHANGES, 33. HERE IS JIMMIE JOHNSON WHO LED FOR FIVE LAPS. HAD A BROKEN OIL PUMP. KNOCKED HIM OUT OF THE RACE. DALE EARNHARDT JR. GOT TO THE FRONT ON LAP 62. WAS ABLE TO LEAD FOR TEN LAPS IN THE RACE. AND DIDN'T HAVE THE BIG ONE. BUT WE DID HAVE THE NINE-CAR WRECK. TRIGGERED BY DAVE BLANEY. ARIC ALMIROLA IN THE 43 CAR. POLE-SITTER JEFF GORDON WAS INVOLVED IN THIS AS WELL. AS CARL EDWARDS. MOMENTS AGO, CASEY MEARS WHO WAS RUNNING IN THE TOP TEN HAD PROBLEMS IN THE 13 CAR. BRINGING OUT A CAUTION. WITH SEVEN TO GO, KURT BUSCH IN THE 51 RUNNING AS RICKY BOBBY, TALLADEGA DAY IS DONE. HE WAS ABLE TO LEAD FOUR LAPS. WE ALSO HAD 14 CARS OUT OF THE RACE, MIKE. THAT IS THE MOST SINCE DAYTONA EARLIER IN YEAR. >> Mike: GETTING READY FOR THE RESTART. MATT KENSETH, THE LEADER. KURT BUSCH IS ABLE TO CONTINUE. HE IS 16th. AND STILL ON THE LEAD LAP. IT WILL BE FOUR TO GO. WHEN WE GET BACK AND NINE OF THE LAST 13 INCLUDING THE LAST FOUR RACES AT TALLADEGA HAVE BEEN WON BY A LAST-LAP PASS. >> Darrell: WELL, IF FOR LAST TWO DAYS THAT HAS BEEN THE DEAL. COME OFF TURN TWO, RUNNING SECOND, YOU ARE PROBABLY GOING TO WIN THE RACE. I'M SURE KENSETH IS WELL AWARE OF THAT. >> Mike: HE ELECTS THE OUTSIDE LANE AND BRINGS THE FIELD TO SPEED UNDER GREEN. FOUR LAPS TO GO. >> Darrell: NOW, ANOTHER PROBLEM. >> Mike: GOT INTO ALLMENDINGER WHO GETS AWAY. CALAMITY. GOOD GRIEF. >> Darrell: THAT'S WHAT I SAY. GOOD GRIEF! >> Mike: KESELOWSKI AND BUSCH GET THROUGH, BEHIND KENSETH. MENARD IS WRAPPED UP IN IT. >> Darrell: YEAH, THAT WAS JUST CARS TRYING TO GET IN POSITION TO GET DOWN IN THE CORNER. I THINK WHAT THREW EVERYBODY A CURVE, LARRY, THE 17 RESTARTING ON THE OUTSIDE. >> Larry: WHEN DENNY HAMLIN THE MINUTE THEY CROSSED IN THE 11, CROSS THE RESTART, START/FINISH LINE HE IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO CHANGE LANES. IT JUST DIDN'T WORK. >> Mike: I WANT YOU TO WATCH THE YELLOW CAR OF A.J. ALLMENDINGER. HE IS THE NUMBER 22. >> Darrell: I THINK YOU ARE BOEING TO SEE -- >> Mike: ON THE OUTSIDE. >> Darrell: HE IS RIGHT HERE. HAMLIN IS GOING TO -- HAMLIN RIGHT HERE DECIDES -- OH, A.J. A.J. MOVED OVER AND TRIED TO BLOCK HAMLIN. HAMLIN GOT IN TO ALLMENDINGER. THAT STARTED THE WHOLE MESS. >> Mike: YEAH, A.J. TRIED TO CHANGE LANES. HAMLIN WAS ALREADY THERE. MENARD IN IT. KEVIN HARVICK. MICHAEL WALTRIP. >> Darrell: A GOOD SHOT HERE. 11 TRYING TO MAKE A HOLE DOWN THE MIDDLE. ALLMENDINGER SAID I'LL HAVE NO PART OF THAT. THAT REALLY IS WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. LOOK AT DALE JR. WORK THROUGH THERE, THE 21 CAR. HARVICK IS TORN UP. SMOKE GOES AROUND. SEE WHERE MICKEY HE. IS HE IS BACK IN THERE SOMEWHERE. >> Mike: MORE DAMAGE FOR LOGANO. MIKE IS ON THE INSIDE. RIDE WITH HIM. >> ROLLING, ROLLING. >> Darrell: THE AARON'S DREAM MACHINE. IS IT GOING TO BE A DREAM OR IS IT GOING TO BE A NIGHTMARE? >> CHECK UP, CHECK UP. >> CONTACT. >> Larry: CHAIN REACTION. >> Mike: RIDE WITH DALE EARNHARDT JR. AND JAMIE McMURRAY ALONGSIDE. >> Darrell: JUNIOR IS RIGHT BEHIND HIM. WATCH THIS. WHAT A DRIVE! THAT WAS A GREAT MOVE! >> Mike: NOW, TWO VIEWS OF KEVIN HARVICK. >> Darrell: MAN, RIGHT INTO HIS TEAMMATE. >> Mike: HERE IS WHAT A.J. ALLMENDINGER HAD TO SAY. >> I MEAN, WHERE ARE WE GOING? >> NO IDEA, MAN. WATCH OUT, A.J. >> I KILLED THE LEFT FRONT I THINK. >> Darrell: I THINK, I MEAN IT'S NOT A GOOD QUESTION, "WHERE ARE WE GOING?" THE SHOW IS, I MEAN THE RACE IS ON. >> Mike: HAVE A LOOK FROM THE DirecTV BLIMP. WHAT HAPPENS AS THEY HEAD TOWARD TURN NUMBER ONE. THE BLIMP LOCATION IS WHERE THE STARTERS ARE LOOKING AT THE TAIL ENDS OF THE CARS. THIRD IN LINE IS ALLMENDINGER. BLACK CAR IS HAMLIN COMING YOU ON HIM. RIGHT HERE THEY START TO MAKE -- >> Darrell: HAMLIN STARTS TO GO TO THE HOLE. IT'S OPEN IN THE MIDDLE. A.J. SEES HIM COMING AND TRIES TO BLOCK HIM. >> Larry: THERE IS JUST NOWHERE, THEY GET OVER IN PAUL MENARD IN THE 27. IT'S ON FROM THERE. >> Mike: HAMLIN'S DEFENSE, IF HE HITS THE BRAKE, AMBROSE PILES IN TO HIM. >> Darrell: YEAH, THERE IS NO BRAKES AT THIS POINT. YOU'RE WIDE OPEN. YOU SAW KEVIN HARVICK GOING UP THROUGH THE GEARS. YOU ARE WIDE OPEN. RIGHT HERE, A.J. SAYS UH-OH, I GOT TO BLOCK THAT MOVE. >> Mike: TOO LATE. >> Darrell: NOT A GOOD IDEA. HAMLIN OVER IN TO TONY. TONY STEWART. >> Mike: WOW! >> DID YOU SEE HOW CLOSE JEFF BURTON ALMOST GOT INVOLVED IN IT? >> Darrell: OH, MY GOSH. >> Mike: AUDIO FROM TONY STEWART. >> MAN, COME ON BACK, COME ON BACK. COME ON. >> RIGHT SIDE. KNOCKED THE FENDER A LITTLE BIT. >> TEAR UP THE WHOLE FIELD. >> WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FINISH. BETTER CHECK SOME OF IT. >> Mike: BOB JEFFRIES. >> Darrell: YEAH, HIS SPOTTER TRYING TO -- MAN. >> Mike: HAMLIN IS COMING APART. >> Darrell: WE MAY HAVE ANOTHER BIT OF A CLEAN-UP PROBLEM HERE. >> Mike: THAT IS THE TREAD OF THE TIRE, FLAILING AROUND. AS IT TRIES TO DISSOCIATE ITSELF FROM THE CARCASS. >> Darrell: I LIKE THAT, MIKE. I DON'T THINK I EVER HEARD IT. [ LAUGHTER ] >> Mike: KASEY KAHNE, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY FOUR LEAF CLOVERS THERE ARE IN THAT CAR. HE JUST USED ANOTHER ONE. >> Darrell: IS THE THIRD TIME TODAY -- THIS IS THE THIRD TIME TODAY. >> WRECKING UP THERE. BACK IT DOWN. BACK IT DOWN. >> Darrell: IT HAS BEEN A CHARM. I MEAN HE GOT THROUGH THREE MAJOR WRECKS. >> Mike: CLINT BOWYER, HOWEVER, WAS NOT SO LUCKY. >> STAY UP, STAY UP. STAY UP. STAY UP. GET ALL THE WAY DOWN. TURN LEFT. GO. GO, GO, GO. GO, GO, GO. >> Mike: TEAMMATES BOWYER AND MICHAEL WALTRIP GOT CONNECTED THERE. AS DID TEAMMATES HAMLIN AND LOGANO WARD THE TAIL END OF THAT ONE. >> Darrell: WATCHING THE GUYS SHIFT UP IN GEARS, THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN HIGH GEAR YET. MICHAEL, I SAW HARVICK WAS IN THIRD. SAW RIGHT THERE, BOWYER WAS IN THIRD. HE HADN'T EVEN GOTTEN IN HIGH GEAR YET. >> Mike: LOOK AT PAUL MENARD'S CAR. TALK GAS MILEAGE, BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD SIX GREEN-WHITE-CHECKER FINISHS HERE. INCLUDING IN THE SPRING RACE TWO YEARS AGO, THREE ATTEMPTS AT GREEN-WHITE-CHECKER. WHICH MEANT AN EXTRA 12 LAPS. 32 MILES. >> Larry: THAT IS THE REASON I DON'T LIKE THE FACT, EVEN THOUGH THEY FELT THEY WERE SAFE, OF DRIVERS NOT COMING IN AND TOPPING OFF. BRAD KESELOWSKI IN THE 2, HE DOES NOT NEED THE RACE TO GO ON AND ON AND ON. HE HAS NOT BEEN TO PIT ROAD SINCE LAP 142. GREEN-WHITE-CHECKERS ARE NOT GOING TO BE HIS FRIEND. THAT IS THE REASON HE'S RUNNING ON THE FLAT, TRYING TO KEEP THE FUEL OVER TO THE FUEL PICKUP. >> Darrell: YOU SEE THE LEFT REAR TIRE IS FLAT ON THE 11. GOING DOWN THE BACK RIGHT THERE. LOOK AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. THE REAR WINDOW. C-POST. >> Mike: THE FOAM IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEEL. >> Darrell: YEAH. ALL OF THAT. TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. RIPPING THAT OUT OF THERE. THE PART GOING AROUND IS THE TIRE. GOING AROUND UP THERE LIKE A BIG SAW. >> Mike: YOU THINK TALLADEGA IS TOUGH? WAIT UNTIL NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT. RIGHT HERE ON FOX. ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Mike: TUNE IN. YOU WILL FIND OUT WHY THEY CALL IT "THE TRACK TOO MUST HAVE TO TAME." >> Larry: YEAH, THEY WERE WRECKING THERE FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE RACE LAST YEAR. >> Mike: KEVIN HARVICK HAS CLIMBED FROM HIS CAR AND WALKS AWAY. WITH FIVE LAPS TO GO. >> Darrell: YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO GET OUT OF YOUR CAR AND GO TO ANOTHER MAN'S CAR ON PIT ROAD. THAT DOESN'T WORK OUT TOO GOOD. >> Mike: A LOOK AT THE GAR RAN AREA AND THE TRI OVAL HERE. FOR GARAGE AREA AND THE TRI OVAL HERE NOW SOME CONCERN AS WE DISCUSSED ABOUT THE TOP FIVE CARS AND WHEN THEY WERE LAST ON PIT ROAD. MANY OF THE CARS ON THE LEAD LAP DIDN'T PIT UNTIL LAP 186 OR 187. >> Larry: WELL, THE GOOD NEWS FOR THE DRIVERS, WE HAVE RUN ABOUT 12, 13, 14 CAUTION LAPS. THIS IS A GOOD TWO TO ONE RATIO ON GREEN TO CAUTION LAPS. THAT MAY BE THE ONLY THING -- WHAT I'M THE MOST NERVOUS ABOUT IS BRAD KESELOWSKI. BECAUSE WE KNOW FROM WATCHING EARLY IN THE RACE, DODGES WERE THE FIRST DRIVERS TO HIT PIT ROAD EVERY TIME WE HAD GREEN FLAG STOPS. >> Darrell: THEY HAVE THE MOST FUEL, YOU KNOW, FUEL PICKUP ISSUE. THEY HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS YEAR ALREADY. >> IN ADDITION TO THOSE FIVE, DALE EARNHARDT JR. IN SEVENTH. AND MARCOS AMBROSE IN SIXTH. ALSO STOPPED AT LAP 149. LET'S SEE IF WE CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION AND GO TO LEADER'S PIT. DICK BERGGREN? >> Dick: WITH JIMMY FENNIG, CREW CHIEF. ENOUGH GAS FOR MATT KENSETH? >> WE SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH. I HOPE EVERYBODY ELSE HAS ENOUGH. WE'LL BE CLOSE BUT WE SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH GAS. >> Dick: STEVE BYRNES? >> Steve: DICK, I'M WITH PAUL WOLF THE CREW CHIEF ON THE 2 CAR FOR BRAD KESELOWSKI. ARE YOU OKAY ON FUEL? >> I FEEL LIKE WE ARE DEFINITELY CLOSE BUT, YOU KNOW, WITH THE CAUTIONS WE HAVE HAD PRIEST TO THIS ONE IT HELPS US OUT A LITTLE BIT. WE'RE GOOD FORTO GO HERE. IF WE GET ANOTHER ONE WE PROBABLY HAVE TO COME DOWN AND TOP OFF. BUT HOPEFULLY GET CLEANED UP HERE AND KEEP THE MILLER LITE DODGE UP FRONT. >> Steve: THANK YOU, PAUL. >> Larry: I THINK JIMMY FENNIG, I THINK HE NAILED IT. I THINK THAT MATT KENSETH, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T WANT THE PUSHER TO RUN OUT OF GAS. >> Darrell: THAT IS THE QUESTION. WHO IS THAT GOING TO BE? MICHAEL WITH A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE DREAM MACHINE THERE. >> Larry: DARRELL, TALKING ABOUT MATT KENSETH, AS MICHAEL WALTRIP COMES BACK TO PIT ROAD, I KNOW HE WOULD LOVE TO LINE UP IN A POSITION ON THE OUTSIDE TO WHERE GREG BIFFLE, HIS TEAMMATE IS BEHIND HIM. BUT KYLE BUSCH PROBABLY CAN GO FURTHER ON FUEL. >> Darrell: LARRY, I AM SEEING SOMETHING ON THE FENDER THERE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS. IT'S -- >> Larry: IT'S BEEN THERE A WHILE. IT HAPPENED IN THE TRIOVAL A NUMBER OF LAPS AGO. >> Darrell: BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S OPENED UP LIKE A BIG AIR POCKET THERE. >> Mike: THAT IS A SCOOP AND THAT WILL CREATE DRAG RIGHT THERE. >> Darrell: OH, YEAH. MAN! >> Mike: IT HAS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR A WHILE, DARRELL. BUT THAT CAR HAS BEEN STRONG. >> Larry: BUT YOU KNOW ALL THE CRACKS THAT THEY HAVE IN THE RACECAR, DICK BERGGREN TOLD ME IN COMMERCIAL BREAK, THINK ABOUT IT. HE HAD A BAD VIBRATION. IT CAN PLAY A TOLL ON SHEET METAL. >> Darrell: THAT MAY BE THE WORST VIBRATION I EVER SAW. >> Mike: ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Mike: FIVE LAPS TO GO IN TALLADEGA. TODAY'S AERIAL COVERAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DirecTV. ONLY DirecTV GIVOUS DEDICATED DRIVER CHANNELS SO YOU WILL NEVER MISS A SECOND OF YOUR DRIVER'S RACE. CALL 1-800-DirecTV. GO TO THE PITH OF THE SEVENTH PLACE CAR. MATT? >> Matt: DALE EARNHARDT JR. HAS AT LEAST SIX LAPS OF FUEL. STEVIE ; GOING TO TRY TO HOOK UP WITH TREVOR BAYNE? >> AT THIS POINT, NASCAR, CHEVY IS GOOD ALL DAY. RUN A SMART RACE. KEEP WATER IN IT AND TIRES ON IT. THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE. SEE WHAT HE DOES. >> GOOD LUCK. >> THANKS. >> Mike: HOW TO KEEP THE FENDERS ON IT? RIDING THROUGH THIS. HAVE ANOTHER LOOK. >> Darrell: THIS IS REALLY JUST NOT PANICKING. HE COULD HAVE EASILY HAVE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES BUT HE STAYED FOCUS. GOT THROUGH IT. COULD BE THE WINNING MOVE. >> Larry: HE WAS HEADED STRAIGHT TOWARD THE PAUL MENARD. >> Darrell: WHAT WORRIES ME, THE 17 WITH THE BODY DAMAGE ON THE RIGHT FRONT. HIS TEAMMATE BIFFLE HAS DAMAGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE TWO FORDS HAVE BEEN POTENT ALL DAY LONG, BUT COUPLE OF GUYS BACK THERE, THE 18 CAR, I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE HEARD THE LAST OF HIM EITHER. >> Mike: WE DID NOT GET THE ONE TO GO SIGN THAT TIME BY THE START/FINISH LINE. THAT IS BECAUSE THE TRACK CREWS ARE STILL WORKING DOWN IN TURN ONE AND SOMEBODY'S CAR, WE SURPRISE, DENNY HAMLIN, SHEDDING PARTS AS WE GO AROUND. A LOT OF SPEEDI-DRI IN TURN NUMBER ONE THAT THEY HAVE TO WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH. >> Larry: YOU KNOW A DRIVER WE NEED TO SHOUT OUT. DAVID RAGAN, YOU CAN SEE JIMMIE JOHNSON UP ON TOP OF DALE EARNHARDT JR.'S PIT BOX. JIMMIE JOHNSON WITH ENGINE ISSUES. RUNNING IN THE FIFTH POSITION, DAVID RAGAN IN THE 34 CAR. THE WINNER FROM DAYTONA LAST JULY. ALL BUT WON THE DAYTONA 500 BACK IN 2011. WAS PENALIZED. THERE HE IS IN THE FIFTH POSITION. >> Darrell: LARRY, I THINK I KNOW WHY, I BET JEFF GORDON IS STILL HERE, I BET JIMMIE JOHNSON IS STILL HERE, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HANG AROUND. THEY'VE GOT TWO BULLETS OUT HERE. THE 88 AND THE 5. THE 5 IS RUNNING TENTH. 88 IS RUNNING SEVENTH. >> Larry: DON'T SAY IT. RICK TOLD YOU NOT TO TALK ABOUT IT. >> Darrell: COULD BE A GOOD DAY FOR THOSE BOYS. >> Mike: ONE TO GO. WITH THREE LAPS TO GO. IN YESTERDAY'S BIG ONE, IN SATURDAY'S RACE, ERIC McCLURE WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, HOSPITAL. RELEASE FROM THE TEAM THIS AFTERNOON INDICATES THAT ERIC IS STABLE AND ALERT, UNDERGOING TESTS AND REMAINS UNDER OBSERVATION. BUT ERIC AND HIS FAMILY WANTED TO EXPRESS THEIR THANKS TO ENTIRE NASCAR COMMUNITY AND FANS FOR THEIR THOUGHTS, SUPPORT AND CONCERN. >> Darrell: BACK IN THE DAY, FUEL CELL SAVED A LOT OF LIVES, INNER LINER SAVED A LOT OF LIVES. NO QUESTION IN MY MIND THE SAFER BARRIERS HAVE SAVED A LOT OF LIVES. >> Mike: SOME AUDIO FROM DALE EARNHARDT JR.'S TEAM. >> APPRECIATE IT. YOU SHOULD BE A CREW CHIEF. >> I WAS DOING MY IMMEDIATE DUTIES, MAN, TALKING ABOUT HOW SPECTACULAR YOU WOULD BE IN THE LAST TWO LAPS. [ LAUGHTER ] >> Larry: HE MUST HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TALK TO STEVE LETARTE WHILE WE WERE INTERVIEWING AND STEVE WAS BUSY. >> Mike: T.J. MAJORS, DALE EARNHARDT JR.'S LONG-TIME SPOTTER. >> Darrell: I KNOW WHAT IT IS. JUNIOR HASN'T BEEN IN AN ARGUEMENT WITH STEVE ALL AFTERNOON. AND HE WILL MISS A CHANCE IF HE DOESN'T DO IT NOW. >> Mike: 19 CARS ARE ON THE LEAD LAP. SOME LIKE MICHAEL WALTRIP, PAUL MENARD AND OTHERS WITH DAMAGE FROM ONE OF THE LAST TWO CAUTIONS. SO THERE ARE PROBABLY 15 LIKELY CONTENDERS FOR VICTORY, AS WE GO GREEN-WHITE-CHECKER FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH TWO LAPS TO GO IN THE ADVERTISED 499-MILE DISTANCE. >> Darrell: AND MAY I SAY, FOLKS, NOBODY IS SITTING DOWN. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN FOR THE LAST 20 LAPS. >> Mike: AGAIN, MATT KENSETH HAS CHOSEN THE OUTSIDE LANE. IS IT QUICKER? OR DID HE WANT HIS TEAMMATE GREG BIFFLE BEHIND HIM? BECAUSE ONLY THE LEADER OF THE RACE GETS LANE CHOICE. >> Darrell: I KNOW IF IT WERE ME AND I SAID IT ALL ALONG, YOU HAVE TO HAVE HELP, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A TEAMMATE. THAT'S THE BEST CHOICE. [ CHEERING ] >> Mike: KESELOWSKI, HAS HIS HAND OUT THE WINDOW, SIGNALS TO KYLE BUSCH. GREEN FLAG. A LOT OF SPEEDI-DRN TURN ONE. HERE WE GO. >> Darrell: BRAD KESELOWSKI WELLING TELLING KYLE BUSCH C'MON, LET'S GO. LOOK AT THE TWO FORDS. THEY ACCELERATE RIGHT AND GOT ON THE BOTTOM. GOOD CHOICE ON MATT KENSETH'S PART. GOT HIS TEAMMATE BEHIND HIM. >> Mike: THE DUST FLIES AS THE FORDS TRY TO FLY FROM THE FIELD. >> Darrell: DON'T GET TOO FAR OUT THERE. LOOK AT THAT 17 CAR. THIS LOOKS LIKE DAYTONA ALL OVER AGAIN. EVERYBODY COMPLAINED ABOUT BIFFLE NOT TRYING TO PASS MATT. HE SAID I COULDN'T GET TO HIM. HE CAN'T GET TO HIM NOW. >> Mike: HOWEVER, THE FIELD WILL ACCORDION BACK TOGETHER. HERE COMES EARNHARDT WITH THE 34 ON THE BOTTOM. >> Darrell: THERE IS THE GUY TO WATCH ON THE OUTSIDE. HERE THEY COME. >> Larry: 2 AND 18. KESELOWSKI IN THE 2. LOOK AT THE RUN HE IS GETTING GG WITH THE PUSH FROM KYLE BUSCH. >> Mike: HE AND MATT KENSETH GET TOO FAR OUT IN FRONT OR IS HE SETTING UP FOR THIS? THE LAST LAP. AS THEY COME TO THE LINE. ONE TO GO. >> Darrell: WELL, YOU DON'T WANT TO LEAD ON THE LAST LAP. I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT IS GOING TO WORK OUT THE WAY MATT THOUGHT IT WAS. WHITE FLAG LAP. >> Mike: JUNIOR ON THE OUTSIDE. SOMEBODY STEAMING. IN THAT PAIR IT'S KYLE BUSCH. KASEY KAHNE. >> Darrell: THE PROBLEM WITH THAT, HE HAS NO HELP. HE IS ALL BY HIMSELF. >> Larry: THINK ABOUT KYLE BUSCH. HE LOST THE RACE YESTERDAY BY LEADING COMING BACK TO THE CHECKERED FLAG. >> THINK ABOUT THE MOVE IN THE TRIOVAL THERE. >> Mike: A TWO-HORSE RACE. CLINT BOWYER HAS GONE STANLEY STEAMER UP IN TURN NUMBER THREE. BUSCH. CAR LENGTH APART, KYLE BUSCH, BRAD KESELOWSKI. >> Darrell: IT AIN'T OVER YET. REMEMBER THAT START/FINISH LINE. >> Larry: I DON'T THINK HE IS CLOSE ENOUGH. I DON'T THINK HE'S CLOSE ENOUGH. >> Mike: BRAD KESELOWSKI PULLING AWAY. IT'S ALL HAPPENING BEHIND HIM. AND KESELOWSKI FOR THE SECOND TIME WILL GO TO VICTORY LANE IN TALLADEGA! >> Darrell: WOW! UNBELIEVABLE. >> WE HAD ENOUGH FUEL, MAN! >> Mike: BRAD KESELOWSKI GETS HIS SIXTH SPRINT CUP WIN. IN HIS 99th START. WINNING FOR PENSKE, AND PAUL WOLFE AND DODGE. THE LAST WIN WAS BRISTOL IN MARCH. >> Darrell: HOW MANY YEARS AGO DID YOU SAY A DODGE WON? >> Mike: THE FIRST TIME, DARRELL, IN 36 YEARS, WHEN DAVE MARCUS DID IT FOR NORV CROSKOV IN THEK&K 71 CHARGER. THE LAST DODGE TO GO TO VICTORY LANE IN THE CUP RACE. >> Larry: WOW! >> Darrell: THAT JUST, THAT JUST DIDN'T WORK OUT FOR MATT KENSETH AT ALL. >> NOBODY ELSE CAN HEAR YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> Mike: KESELOWSKI CROSSES THE STRIPE. THERE IS THE GAP. TO KYLE BUSCH. AND FOR THIRD, MATT KENSETH HANGS ON. OVER KYLE BUSCH. THEN BIFFLE. BOWYER. RAGAN. EARNHARDT JUNIOR, AND TREVOR BAYNE. >> Darrell: MATT KENSETH'S PROBLEM WAS COULDN'T NOBODY RUN WITH HIM. HE HAD NO HELP ON THE LAST LAP. >> SO IT APPEARS. KENSETH DID GET TOO FAR OUT IN FRONT. AND LOST THE DRAFT BY BEING TOO FAR OUT. >> Darrell: AND THEN, WHEN THE TWO CARS WENT BY HIM, WHEN THE TWO CAR AND THE 18 WENT BY HIM. HE COULDN'T GET AHOLD OF HIM. THERE WAS NOBODY BEHIND HIM TO PUSH HIM BACK UP THERE UNTIL THEY GOT ALL THE WAY OVER HERE TO THE TRIOVAL. >> Larry: I'D SAY BRAD KESELOWSKI GETTING HIS SECOND WIN NOW IN TEN RACES. HE IS FEELING ALREADY PRETTY GOOD ABOUT MAKING THE CHASE. >> Mike: THIS IS COMING DOWN FOR THE RESTART. JUST CATCH A LITTLE BIT OF AIR THERE. >> Darrell: JUST TRYING TO GET A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. HE KNOWS HE WILL HAVE TO HOLD HIS BREATH FOR A MINUTE. I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ANY DOUBT IN MATT KENSETH'S MIND AT THIS POINT THAT HE WAS GOING TO WIN THIS RACE. HAD HIS TEAMMATE BEHIND HIM. THEY CLEAR EVERYBODY. BUT HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY HELP. >> Mike: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE TALLADEGA RACES, THE LEADER IN THE TRIOVAL IS THE LEADER AT THE FINISH LINE. >> Larry: YEAH. KYLE BUSCH, HE COULD NOT STAY WITH BRAD KESELOWSKI. [ ENGINE ROAR ] >> Mike: MICHIGAN DRIVER LIGHTS IT UP IN START/FINISH. AS HIS CREW CHIEF AND TEAM CELEBRATE. BRAD KESELOWSKI IS THE WINNER TALLADEGA >> Chris: TIME FOR THE SPRINT POST-RACE SHOW, AS WE WELCOME YOU BACK TO TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY. THE DRIVER OF THE 2, BRAD KESELOWSKI. THE 28-YEAR-OLD HOLDING OFF 27-YEAR-OLD KYLE BUSCH. TO CAPTURE HIS SECOND TALLADEGA VICTORY. FOR OWNER ROGER PENSKE, FIRST TIME EVER FOR PENSKE IN VICTORY LANE AT TALLADEGA. AND POST-INSPECTION HE CLEARS. MEANWHILE, MATT KENSETH DOMINATED, LED THE MOST LAPS IS STANDING BY WITH OUR -- ALL RIGHT, WE'LL GO TO KYLE WITH MATT YOCUM. MATT? >> Matt: CHRIS, BACK AT THE PRE-RACE WE CAUGHT UP WITH KYLE BUSCH. WE DISCUSSED WHERE YOU WANTED TO BE ON THE LAST LAP. DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED ON THE LAST LAP FOR YOU. >> I DON'T KNOW. WE HAD A GREAT M&M CAR ALL DAY. PHENOMENAL JOB TO GIVE ME A GOOD PIECE. WE WERE RUNNING UP FRONT. I DIDN'T THINK WE GOT CONNECTED SOON ENOUGH AND THEY GOT AWAY FROM US AND WE DID GET CONNECTED, 2 AND I. DROVE BY HIM AND IT WAS A RACE BETWEEN HIM AND I AND SOMEHOW GETTING IN TURN THREE I GOT DISCONNECTED FROM HIM. ONCE THAT HAPPENED THE RACE WAS OVER. IT WAS ALL HIS. NOT SURE IF HE DID ANYTHING. IF HE DID HE'S PRETTY SMART. I THINK OUR STUFF JUST COME UNPLUGGED. >> Matt: ALL RIGHT. CHRIS? >> Chris: THANK YOU. BIT OF AN UPSET AND SHOCK. HE LED TEN LAPS. 516 MILES AT TALLADEGA, ALABAMA. BRAD KESELOWSKI, THE WINNER. STEVE BYRNES IN VICTORY LANE. >> Steve: WELL, THANK YOU, CHRIS. JUST NOW PULLING IN TO VICTORY LANE. HE IS TAKING HIS HELMET OFF AND HIS HANBES DEVICE OFF, GET -- HANES DEVICE OFF AND GETTING UNPLUGGED FROM THE RADIO. BRAD KESELOWSKI, COME ON OUT AND CELEBRATE. [ CHEERS & APPLAUSE ] >> Steve: BRAD, I HEARD YOU SAY ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE RACE, YOU WERE GOING TO BE PATIENT. WAS THAT THE KEY TO WINNING THIS RACE TODAY? >> SURE. YOU KNOW, TALLADEGA, PATIENCE IS A BIT OF AN OXYMORON, BECAUSE YOU GOT TO GO HARD TO WIN THE RACE. IT WENT HARD, A LITTLE BIT EARLY THERE WITH KURT. GOT WITH HIM AND I WANT TO START SAYING SORRY, KURT, IF YOU'RE WATCHING. YOU HAVE BEEN A GREAT FRIEND AND GREAT TEAMMATE, I WOULD HAVE WORKED WITH YOU. LAST THING I WANT TO SEE HAPPEN. MISCOMMUNICATION ON OUR PART. SORRY ABOUT THAT. GREAT AT THE END. GREAT RACING. JUST AWESOME. IT WAS A PERFECT COMBINATION OF TANDEM AND THE PACK RACING. IT JUST IF IT OUR MILLER LITE DODGE PERFECT. STRONG WITH THE COMBO. MY GUYS DID A GREAT JOB ALL WEEKEND. >> Steve: BRAD, WALK US THROUGH YOUR STRATEGY AT THE END OF THE RACE. >> WELL, I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT OF DRIVERS THAT WILL WATCH THE REPLAY OF THE LAST TWO LAP. I HAD A WHOLE PLAN IF I GOT IN THE SITUATION WHERE I WAS LEADING AND I THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND DREAMED ABOUT IT WHAT TO DO. AND SURE ENOUGH, GOING IN TO THREE WITH JUST ME AND KYLE. I KNEW THE MOVE I WANTED TO PULL. AND IT WORKED. YOU KNOW, THE GUY RUNNING SECOND SHOULD HAVE THE ADVANTAGE. I HAD THIS MOVE ALL WORKED OUT IN MY MIND. NOW EVERYBODY HAS SEEN IT AND THEY KNOW IT. GLAD I WAS ABLE TO GET A WIN WITH IT. I WENT IN TURN THREE HIGH. AND PULLED DOWN OFF OF KYLE. BROKE THE TANDEM UP, WHICH ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE, YOU KNOW, UNTOUCHED TO THE CHECKERED FLAG. BUT IT WASN'T EASY TO CONVINCE MYSELF TO DO THAT. BUT IT WAS THE RIGHT MOVE. I'M GLAD IT WORKED. KYLE DID A GREAT JOB. NICE WORKING WITH HIM. WE HAVE HAD UP-AND-DOWN HISTORY AND GREAT TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET A ONE-TWO FINISH. I KNOW HE WANTED TO WIN, TOO. THIS ONE IS BIG FOR THE MILLER LITE TEAM, TWO WINS, WILD CARD AND ALL THAT. ALMOST MAKES YOU IMMUNE TO MISSING THE CHASE. AND THIS TEAM IS STRONG COME CHASE TIME. THE BEST IS YET TO COME FOR THE MILLER LITE DODGE. >> Steve: CONGRATULATIONS. BACK TO CHRIS MYERS. >> Chris: THANK YOU, STEVE. A RACE OF ATTRITION AT TALLADEGA, 19 CARS KNOCKED OUT OF THE RACE BY FAR, THE MOST THIS YEAR. WE HAD 11 BACK AT DAYTONA. AND THE MOST LEADERS, 17. THE MOST LEAD CHANGES, 34. THE ONE THAT MATTERED AT THE END WAS BRAD KESELOWSKI. A.J. ALLMENDINGER INVOLVED IN A WRECK, THAT RESTART. CHECK IN WITH DICK BERGGREN WHO IS WITH A.J. >> Dick: A.J., TELL US ABOUT THE ACCIDENT TOWARD THE END OF THE EVENT. >> DON'T KNOW. I HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET. I HAVE TO COMMENT ABOUT IT. >> Dick: WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR YOU BEHIND THE WHEEL? WHAT WAS GOING ON? >> THE RESTART, EVERYBODY IS GETTING AFTER IT. I TRIED TO BLOCK, DENNY WAS ALREADY THERE. MY APOLOGIES. IF NOT, I DON'T KNOW. EVERYBODY ON THE PENNZOIL DODGE, PENSKE ORGANIZATION, FAST RACECAR. HAPPY THE 2 CAR WON. >> Dick: THANK YOU. >> Chris: PART OF THE 11-CAR WRECK, 12-CAR WRECK. EARLIER THERE WAS A WRECK INVOLVING NINE CARS. WE WENT THE FIRST 300 MILES OF THIS RACE WITH ONLY ONE CAUTION. AND THEN THERE WAS AN AVALANCHE OF CAUTION FLAGS. MEANWHILE, MATT KENSETH LED THE MOST LAPS. OUR MATT IS STANDING BY WITH HIM. >> YEAH. OUR FORD WAS FAST ALL DAY. NO ONE COULD STAY LOCKED TO IT. NOT IN THE 500 EARLY. WE HAVE HAD SUCCESS IN 150 AND 500. BAD JOB BY ME IN THE END. GREG GAVE ME A GOOD PUSH. IN TURN TWO, BY THE TIME I REALIZED HE WAS SEPARATED HE WAS SEPARATED BY FOUR CAR LENKS. I KNEW THEY WOULD PASS ME SO I JUST WAITED FOR THEM TO GET BACK TO ME AND KEPT GOING. IT WAS JUST, JUST A POOR JOB IN THE LAST RESTART. I SHOULD HAVE DRUG THE BRAKE TO MAKE SURE HE WAS SEALED UP TO HAVE A CHANCE. >> Matt: THANK YOU. >> YEAH. >> Chris: MATT KENSETH NOW 0-25 IN HIS CAREER AT TALLADEGA. GET FINAL THOUGHTS FROM DARRELL, LARRY, MIKE IN THE RACE. MIKE, YOU TALK ABOUT TALLADEGA BEING UNPREDICTABLE. DARRELL STARTED THE DAY TALKING ABOUT HAVING GOOD VISION, WHICH BRAD KESELOWSKI HAD IN THE END. END. >> Matt: I'M GLAD THAT MATT KENSETH JUST EXPLAINED HOW HE LOST THAT RACE. HE WAS THE BEST CAR ALL DAY. HE COULD GET OUT FRONT ANYTIME. HE JUST GOT TOO FAR OUT FRONT. >> Darrell: YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU DON'T SAY THIS OFTEN. HE WAS TOO FAST. HE GOT THE LEAD, ON THE RESTART, BUT BIFFLE COULDN'T STAY WITH HIM. THEY GOT SEPARATED. THAT MADE HIM A SITTING DUCK. THEN THE 2 AND THE 18 WENT BY. THE MOVE, THE MOVE WAS BRAD. THE MOVE HE MADE IN TURN THREE AND FOUR. WHEN HE WENT IN THE CORNER AND DROVE IT TO THE BOTTOM, THAT BROKE THE MOMENTUM OF HE AND THE 18. HE COASTED TO VICTORY. >> Larry: KYLE BUSCH SAID IN THE INTERVIEW, IF HE IS THAT SMART HE PULLED SOMETHING WE HAVE NOT SEEN. BRAD KESELOWSKI PRETTY MUCH CONFIRMED THAT MOVE IN VICTORY LANE. THEY CREATED SOMETHING NEW HERE FOR THE FINAL LAP AT TALLADEGA AND PROBABLY DAYTONA. >> Mike: SURPRISE MOVE PUT JEFF GORDON ON THE POLE. ANOTHER SURPRISE MOVE PUTS BRAD IN VICTORY LANE OVER KYLE. MATT SALVAGES THIRD. KASEY KAHNE, BIFFLE, THE TOP FIVE. BIFFLE STILL THE POINT LEADER. CLINT BOWYER, RAGAN, TREVOR BAYNE, A NICE REBOUND. DALE EARNHARDT JR., NINTH. JEFF BURTON, TENTH. >> Larry: YOU SAW DAVID RAGAN THERE. HOW ABOUT DAVID GILLILAND THERE IN THE 38 CAR? THAT IS TWO TOP 13 FINISHES FOR FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS HERE. >> Chris: MICHAEL WALTRIP DOESN'T GET TO RACE OFTEN. >> Mike: 19th. LEAD LAP FINISH. KURT BUSCH COUPLE OF GOOD CARS. >> Darrell: THE 11 AND 14, 29, ARE 23, 24, 15. THREE CARS I THOUGHT WOULD WIN THIS THING. >> Mike: THEY TOOK A HIT IN THE SPRINT CUP STANDINGS AND THE FINAL TALLY. A LOT OF CARS KNOCKED OUT OF THE RACE. TOUGH TO THE TITLE HOPE OF CARL EDWARDS, JIMMIE JOHNSON, RYAN NEWMAN. JEFF GORDON. >> Larry: JEFF GORDON IS GETTING TO A POINT HE BETTER WIN IF HE WANTS TO GET IN. >> Darrell: HE IS IN THE DANGER ZONE, LARRY. >> Mike: CHRIS? >> Chris: THANKS, GUYS. ARIC ALMIROLA ONE OF THE GUYS CAUGHT UP IN THE WAR OF ATTRITION HERE. OUR KRISTA VODA IS STANDING BY WITH HIM. >> Krista: A SOLID FINISH FOR ARIC ALMIROLA WITH A NEW CREW CHIEF. PLATE RACING CAN BE SITUATIONAL. IF YOU HAVE A SITUATION WITH THE WRECK TO DO OVER WOULD YOU DO THE SAME THING? >> YEAH. WE WERE STARTING TO RUN OFF OF FUEL OFF OF TURN TWO. I SWITCHED TO MY AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP. IT GOT EVEN WORSE. IT QUIT RUNNING. I WAS WAVING, TRYING TO GET DOWN TO THE APRON AND SOME OF THE GUYLES BEHIND ME WEREN'T ABLE TO CHECK UP. WE CAUSED A BIG WRECK THERE. YOU KNOW, IT'S UNFORTUNATE. I WAS SITTING THERE LOOKING, I WATCHED THE FUEL PRESSURE DROP. LOOKED DOWN AT MY FUEL PUMP SWITCH TO SWITCH IT. THE NEXT THING I KNOW I HAD THE HANDS FULL TRYING TO SAVE THE RACECAR. PROUD OF EVERYBODY ON THE VERAPHONE CAR. A GOOD CAR ALL WEEKEND. FAST IN PRACTICE AND QUALIFIED FOURTH. PROUD OF MIKE FORD AND THE BOYS ON THE 43 TEAM. THE FORD FUSION WAS FAST. GOOD WEEKEND. >> Krista: THANK YOU, ARIC. >> Chris: ROAD RUN FOR ARIC BUT BRAD KESELOWSKI WITH THE BEST RUN AT TALLADEGA IN VICTORY LANE. WE'LL CHECK THE POINTS STANDINGS AFTER TEN RACES IN THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP SEASON. A LOT MORE FROM ALABAMA IN A MOMENT. >> Chris: A WORK OF ART FOR BRAD KESELOWSKI AND THE 2 CAR. HIS SECOND WIN OF THIS SEASON AN THE FIRST DODGE IN VICTORY LANE AT TALLADEGA SINCE 1976. AS WE PUT THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON AN UNUSUAL CRAZY RACE. MICHAEL WALTRIP, WHO IS USUALLY HERE FROM THE HOLLYWOOD HOTEL, BROADCASTING WITH FOX. BACK BEHIND THE WHEEL DRIVING. ACTUALLY LED 21 LAPS. AND OUR UP-OR-DOWN VOTE VOTE KRP WITH HIM. >> Krista: WALT DISNEY WITH THE DUAL ROLE TODAY. THE PLAN WAS TO TEAM UP WITH DENNY HAMLIN. BUT THE PLATE TRACK, THE PLANS DON'T ALWAYS WORK OUT. >> WE TOOK OFF AND GUY IN FRONT OF ME DIDN'T GO. I LET OFF AND GOT CLOBBERED. A CHAIN REACTION. I TELL YOU, I HAD A BALL, THOUGH. I'M GOING TO BE BETTER ON FOX. THOSE GUYS SPEAK IN CODE OUT THERE. IT'S CRAZY. WE ARE OUT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THEM AND SEEING HOW THEY DRIVE AND MOVE THEY MAKE. I'M HAPPY TO EXPERIENCE IT. HOPE FOR A BETTER FINISH, BUT ENJOYED MYSELF. >> Krista: WE ENJOYED IT, TOO. THANK YOU, MICHAEL. >> Chris: THANK YOU, KRISTA. MICHAEL, FUN TO SEE YOU OUT THERE. RESTRICTOR-PLATE RACING. AFTER TEN OF THE 36 POINT RACES, REMEMBER, 26 WE GO TO THE CHASE. THESE ARE THE POINT STANDINGS -- KENSETH ENGAINS A COUPLE OF SPOTS GETTING UP TO SECOND. DALE EARNHARDT JR. RUNNING THIRD. DENNY HAMLIN, TWO-TIME WINNER. TONY STEWART, TWO-TIME WINNER. JIMMIE JOHNSON CURRENTLY RUNNING EIGHTH. CARL EDWARDS STRUGGLING A BIT AS WE LOOK AT THAT SECOND PAGE. NOTICE WHERE BRAD KESELOWSKI, HE MENTIONED IT. HE WAS A WILD CARD LAST YEAR WITH A COUPLE OF WINS ALREADY. JEFF GORDON CURRENTLY 23rd. KASEY KAHNE, 19. WHO ACTUALLY PICKED UP FOUR SPOTS AT THIS RACE TODAY. TONIGHT ON FOX, YOU'LL LAUGH OUT LOUD AND BE ENTERTAINED. BY THE WAY, ON A FUTURE "CLEVELAND SHOW" TONY STEWART WILL HEND HIS VOICE TO A PROGRAM. NEXT SATURDAY, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. BASEBALL IN DAYTIME AND PRIMETIME RACING. 12:30 EASTERN TIME. AMONG THE GAMES YOU'LL SEE -- RANGERS-ANGELS. TODAY, WILLIE MAYS, 81 YEARS YOUNG. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT, NOTE THE START TIME, 6:30 EASTERN. YOU WILL SEE DANICA PATRICK AND HER SECOND CUP RACE. DANICA WILL BE WITH US FROM DARLINGTON ON THE EVE OF MOTHER'S DAY. ALWAYS ENTERTAINING. REMEMBER KYLE BUSCH, KEVIN HARVICK, GOT INTO IT AT THE END OF THE RACE LAST YEAR. FOR MORE ON THIS RACE, CONTINUING COVERAGE FROM TALLADEGA. TUNE IN TO VICTORY LANE ON SPEED. FOR MICHAEL WALTRIP, AND OUR ENTIRE PRODUCTION CREW, I'M CHRIS MYERS. THANKS FOR BEING PART OF NASCAR ON FOX. SEE YOU NEXT SATURDAY NIGHT. Captioned By Closed Captioning Services, Inc ♪♪ ♪♪ >> AND KESELOWSKI FOR THE SECOND TIME WILL GO TO VICTORY LANE IN TALLADEGA.

Channel: NascarAllOut

Views: 37,189

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Id: Sryue3sbE2g

Length: 248min 51sec (14931 seconds)

Published: Thu Apr 22 2021