Chasers keep an eye out for 'big one' at Talladega

05.10.2007 20:00 Sport and Travel - Source: USA Today

Q: On the heels of a chaotic race at Kansas Speedway last week, why are some predicting even more mayhem at Talladega?

A:  This will be the first race on a restrictor plate track with the Car of Tomorrow, so no one is sure how the new model will react under race conditions at NASCAR's fastest track.

Testing at Talladega did provide NASCAR the opportunity to tinker with the size of the restrictor plate (which limits airflow to the carburetor, reducing maximum speed) as well as aerodynamic factors on the car.

Restrictor plate racing at Talladega, which has reduced speeds in excess of 210 mph to the lower 190s, historically has created tight quarters by negating advantages in horsepower. Because the newer, boxier model is built within rigid specifications, it's presumed that similarities in equipment will lead to more cars racing in close proximity.

That could breed problems. Racing so close together at high speeds has helped make Talladega, NASCAR's fastest track, legendary as the "home of the big one," the kind of wreck likely to take out several cars in a flash.

"Everybody is running in tighter packs because there is a much smaller difference in the speed of the cars," said Jeff Gordon, who trails teammate Jimmie Johnson by six points for the lead in the standings. "It's going to tighten the cars up that much more. The tighter the packs, the easier it is to make mistakes. We all make mistakes. At Talladega you make a mistake and there is a 20-car pileup."

Dale Earnhardt Jr., a five-time winner at Talladega, agrees.

"If you thought it was wild with the old cars, wait until Sunday," said Earnhardt.

"The bumpers on these (new models) match up and they're built like a tank, so the bump-drafting is going to be big-time. These things punch such a hole in the air, so we'll be bottled-up 43 deep all day. The closing speeds are so fast, no one will be able to get away from anyone else."

Q: Going into the fourth of 10 races in the Chase for the Nextel Cup, who has been the biggest surprise — and what does he think about Talladega?

A:  That would be Clint Bowyer, who had never won a Cup event until the first race of the Chase and currently sits third, 14 points behind Johnson.

Bowyer hasn't had much luck at Talladega, failing to finish better than 35th in three Cup starts. He crashed in his first two races and knows fortunes can change in an instant.

"Every time you go there you're concerned about getting out of there," he says. "It's always kind of been a survival fest.

"With this Car of Tomorrow and what we saw at the test, it's a little bit more (scary) than usual. … Certainly you're going to have to back off in the corners in the tri-oval to keep them from going around. It's going to be wild."

Q: Last year, Juan Pablo Montoya got his feet wet by racing in the ARCA race at Talladega. What notable open-wheelers are expected to give Talladega a whirl ?

A:  Former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve will attempt to qualify for his first Cup race in a Bill Davis Racing Camry and also will drive in the Craftsman Truck Series event. The 1995 Indy 500 winner finished 21st in his first truck start on Sept. 22 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Kyle Busch couldn't believe it.

"He's doing what? Holy cow, that's not good," Busch said. "You've got to start somewhere, but the Cup Series at Talladega definitely isn't the place to start."

Earnhardt, who drafted with Villeneuve for some 20 laps during NASCAR's Talladega test session, doesn't appear as concerned.

"Jacques doesn't have much experience in these cars," Earnhardt said, "but he's a world champ. He'll do OK. Hell, he can't be any worse than some of the other guys we've got out there."

In addition to Villeneuve, 2006 Indy 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. will attempt to make his Cup debut for Penske Racing. Also, Aric Almirola will make his first Cup start at Talladega and his third this season in the No. 01 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Dario Franchitti, the 2007 Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champion, will make his stock car debut in a Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge in Friday's ARCA race. Joining him will be former Formula One driver Scott Speed, who makes his debut in a Toyota for Eddie Sharp Racing.

Q: What could make the biggest difference on race day?

A:  Pit stops.

"The only thing that's going to separate the cars, in my opinion, is pit stops," said Jeff Burton, 10th in the standings. "If you have a bad pit stop, you could get separated."

Q: Gordon and Earnhardt lead all active drivers with five wins at Talladega, but what drivers have been knocking on the door?

A: Kurt Busch is winless in 13 starts, but has six top-fives and 10 top-10s. His average finish of 10.2 is best among Chase hopefuls. Tony Stewart has been the bridesmaid six times. Though winless in 17 tries, he's had 10 top-10s. Kevin Harvick also has yet to win in 13 starts, but has finished in the top 10 in seven of his past nine races.

Q: Who's found the going rough on the Alabama tri-oval?

A:  Burton has managed to finish in the top five just twice in 27 starts. Kyle Busch has finished in the top 30 once in five races. Greg Biffle will be looking to crack the top 10 for the first time in 10 career starts.

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