NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
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CUP: 10 Things We Learned At Talladega Sunday
Lessons learned on the high-banks of Talladega...
Lee Spencer  | http://www.foxsports.com/  |  Posted May 07, 2012   Charlotte, NC
Landon Cassill, driver of the No.83 Burger King Toyota, Carl Edwards, driver of the No.99 Fastenal Ford, and Terry Labonte, driver of the No.32 C&J Energy Ford, wreck during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499. (Photo: Getty Images)
Racing at Talladega Superspeedway has always been a challenge for drivers and teams. Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race proved to be no different. Still, there were a lot of developments that teams can study and use for the future, as well as signs of what’s to come in the next few races.

Here’s a look at the top 10 things learned at Talladega:

1. Funky fuel mileage

The old-fashioned way of calculating fuel mileage didn’t compute on Sunday at Talladega with all the different variables that were thrown at engineers. Take the Earnhardt Childress Engine contingent, for example. Of its eight cars, there were eight different fuel mileages ranging from 6.3 miles per gallon to 8.09 mpg. Factors that affected the numbers included running wide open at the front of the pack, which used the most fuel, to running part throttle where the drivers lift and draft. The best mileage was achieved within the big packs. But it appears that a new wrinkle has entered the restrictor-plate game.

2. An owners Chase?

Michael Waltrip Racing’s No. 55 Toyota is ninth in the owners points with Mark Martin, Waltrip and Brian Vickers behind the wheel. What’s the chance of this team remaining consistent enough to battle for the owners title? Under crew chief Rodney Childers’ direction, it’s possible.

3. Quiet contenders

They’re not flashy, just consistent. And Roush Fenway Racing veterans Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth sit first and second in the points standings. Biffle holds a seven-point lead over Kenseth entering Darlington, where he’s won two races and finished eighth in two of the past three events.

4. 0-139

Yes, Junior Nation, another race has passed without a trip to Victory Lane. But Dale Earnhardt Jr. feels he can win anywhere and is looking forward to racing at Darlington, where his average finish is 15.2. In the past, there would not have been that optimism, but Junior’s confidence is up. And it should be with eight top-10 finishes in the first 10 events — including finishes of third or better in the past six races.

5. The magic horseshoe

Jeff Gordon appeared to be putting the No. 24 team back on track after winning the pole at Talladega. However, the racing gods intervened Sunday. Gordon's was one of nine cars collected in a wreck on Lap 143 and was likely home for the finish of the Aaron’s 499. Since Gordon doesn’t believe in luck, hopefully experience can help him climb from the points-standings cellar. The four-time champ is 23rd in points, but with seven Darlington victories, Gordon leads all active drivers there.

6. Much to do about nothing

For anyone who believes anything will come of the altercation between Danica Patrick and Sam Hornish Jr. in last Saturday’s Nationwide race, think again. Although NASCAR officials might have a word or two with the former IndyCar stars, expect this round to be dismissed as just one of those racing deals.

7. Making progress

He’s back. While no one ever believed that Kasey Kahne had forgotten how to drive, the first half of this season was certainly a struggle for Hendrick Motorsports' newest team. However, Kahne has scored four consecutive finishes of seventh or better since his engine failure at Martinsville Speedway and vaulted from 31st in the points standings to 19th. And Kahne has been solid when qualifying at Darlington. He has five poles at the Track Too Tough to Tame and finished fourth there last May. Don’t be surprised if Kahne earns that breakthrough win on NASCAR’s toughest track Saturday night.

8. Back in the saddle

After completing just 15 laps at Talladega before his engine failed, Regan Smith should be thrilled to move on to Darlington, where he earned his first career Sprint Cup win in last year’s Southern 500. Smith dropped out of the top 25 in points and has just one top-15 finish this season. With it being a contract year for Smith, it’s time to get on the ball.

9. Sometimes less is more

A limited schedule is working wonders for the Wood brothers. In four starts, driver Trevor Bayne has posted two top-10 finishes including his eighth-place effort on Sunday at Talladega. Bayne returns to action two weeks from now in the All-Star race, where the Wood brothers will carry Good Sam/Camping World on the No. 21 Ford.

10. Appearing at a comedy club ...

Tony Stewart continues to amuse the media and himself with his acerbic quips in response to questions. One of his best responses Sunday after the Aaron’s 499 came after he was asked whether he preferred the return of pack racing at Talladega over tandem drafting. “My vote next week is that we make it a figure eight and/or we can stop at the halfway, make a break and turn around and go backwards the rest of the way,” Stewart said. “Then with 10 to go we split the field in half, and half go the regular direction and half of them go backwards."
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