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Talladega was rough for Chase For The Sprint Cup drivers
Oct
6
Drivers said they were concerned about Talladega Superspeedway, and now everyone can see why. It was devastating to several of the contenders in NASCAR’s 2008 Chase For The Sprint Cup.
While it certainly wasn't the end of their championship hopes, the race at Talladega showcased just how treacherous this track can be for anyone with a title in mind. Drivers held their own until late in the race, many riding at the back in an effort to avoid getting caught up in what has become known as "The Big One" at the track.
And then it happened. Carl Edwards tried to push his Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle. Things went wrong, and the two sparked a 12-car crash that dimmed the championship hopes of six contenders. Edwards took a huge hit, dropping from 10 points off Jimmie Johnson's pace to 72 back. Biffle fell another 47 points behind. While they remain second and third in the standings, Johnson has slipped away a little.
The Hendrick Motorsports' driver who has won the past two championships has his first significant lead in the standings - after a race in which he lost a lap early, then recovered and gained ground essentially by staying out of a crash.
Now drivers can only look forward. At Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend, most of the Chase contenders should be expected to perform well and keep the points gap from widening.
And then comes Martinsville, the Virginia paperclip that offers another chance for drivers to spin off the bumper of someone else and lose significant ground. Will it be the next great equalizer of the Chase?
While it certainly wasn't the end of their championship hopes, the race at Talladega showcased just how treacherous this track can be for anyone with a title in mind. Drivers held their own until late in the race, many riding at the back in an effort to avoid getting caught up in what has become known as "The Big One" at the track.
And then it happened. Carl Edwards tried to push his Roush Fenway Racing teammate Greg Biffle. Things went wrong, and the two sparked a 12-car crash that dimmed the championship hopes of six contenders. Edwards took a huge hit, dropping from 10 points off Jimmie Johnson's pace to 72 back. Biffle fell another 47 points behind. While they remain second and third in the standings, Johnson has slipped away a little.
The Hendrick Motorsports' driver who has won the past two championships has his first significant lead in the standings - after a race in which he lost a lap early, then recovered and gained ground essentially by staying out of a crash.
Now drivers can only look forward. At Lowe's Motor Speedway this weekend, most of the Chase contenders should be expected to perform well and keep the points gap from widening.
And then comes Martinsville, the Virginia paperclip that offers another chance for drivers to spin off the bumper of someone else and lose significant ground. Will it be the next great equalizer of the Chase?
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Comments
2 responses to "Talladega was rough for Chase For The Sprint Cup drivers"
bonnie lewis said:
Oct 6, 2008 at 4:59 PMWhy in the world would you write an article with this title and leave out the other three Chasers (Kennseth, Harvick, Dale,Jr.) that Edwards kept from gaining points??? What is up with that?
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» Confirm Abuse Reportchris welch said:
Oct 6, 2008 at 10:47 PMbecause the "EXPERTS" have eliminated everyone except biffle, johnson, and edwards. dont you know they have a crystal ball?
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