Happy Halloween everyone! NASCAR, Talladega and Halloween weekend- now that is a scary combination! Stock cars biggest stars took to the track Friday afternoon and there was ction right from the get-go. The cars started right away racing three and four wide, which led to trouble for a few drivers. Jeff Gordon slowed at the front of the pack and pulled out of line, causing the rest of the cars in his pack to check up. That abrupt slowing resulted in Sam Hornish Jr getting rear ended by Carl Edwards and having to roll his backup #77 Dodge off the trailer. Clint Bowyer also spun out after getting hit in the back by Erik Darnell in the #96 a little further back in the pack. The # 9 of Kasey Kahne was the fastest in that first session.
The second session, better known as Happy Hour, was a little more subdued, but NASCAR warned several drivers about leaving a little daylight between their bumpers. Since the restrictor plates on the car's carburators have been downsized, the cars have about 12-15 horsepower less than they did in the spring Talladega race. So since the cars are slower, the mos effective way to draft is to bump draft and stay sucked to each other's cars trough the corners, which is something that NASCAR has always discouraged. They actually parked Michael Waltrip's #55 NAPA Toyota for part of the practice for bumping Jimmie Johson's #48 Chevy in the corners. But, there was no malice intent on Mikey's part. He was only trying to figure out what his car would do in that situation because, like he said, that is what you'll have to do to win the race. NASCAR will also let you make moves like that in the race. They were just trying to keep practice under control. Clint Bowyer and Michael Waltrip were the two fastest cars in the session.
Qualifying was scrubbed today due to heavy rain showers, putting Jimmie Johnson's $#48 on the pole, yet again. But, anyone can win this race tomorrow. Hopefully, it will be my man, Mikey Waltrip. This is his last realistic shot to win one more race before his full time career comes to a close. Seeing that NAPA Camry in victory lane would be really special for him, his team and all the "Wal-Nuts" waching on television and in the stands. But however the race ends, hopefully all 43 cars will stay on the ground. Here is the finish from the spring race earlier this season, in case you have never seen it. It is really something.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXwpsaHueUk&feature=related
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