Talladega Race Report

FINAL RESULTS:
1. Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
2. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet
3. Kurt Busch, Dodge
4. David Gilliland, Ford
5. Jamie McMurray, Ford
18. Kyle Petty, #45 National Tire and Battery Dodge
20. Bobby Labonte, #43 Cheerios/Spider-Man 3 Dodge

OVERVIEW:

Bobby Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Spider-Man 3 Dodge team came from three laps down to finish not only on the lead lap but in the 20th position on Sunday at the 2.660-mile Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. Labonte was one of the fastest cars in practice and the team was optimistic about a good run on Sunday. Labonte had trouble during the first green flag pit stop. He was trying to make his way down to pit road through the pack of cars. Labonte just need more track space to get there as he had to slam on the brakes to get to pit road. He missed pit road and cut a tire in the process of braking. Labonte fell three laps down before lap 40, but never lost hope. The team raced hard and Labonte was awarded three “lucky dog” awards to get back on the lead lap near race end. It was a great comeback on NASCAR’s largest track. Labonte then charged through the field in the time left to finish 20th.

“It was cool to come back from three laps down,” said Labonte. “But, it’s disappointing. We had a good car and the guys did a good job. I needed about 20 more feet to get to pit road. Everyone is just packed up in a bunch and we were trying to get to pit road. We saw a few of those things happen today. We fought and got back on the lead lap and I’m proud of the team for that.”

Petty Enterprises showed again that they have a very strong restrictor plate program. The duo of Kyle Petty and Bobby Labonte collected two top 20 finishes, but Petty was one of the strongest cars all afternoon. The race ended under caution, and if it weren’t for that, Petty was closing quickly into the top 10. Labonte, winner of Saturday’s Busch race, came from three laps down to motor to a 20th place finish. Their performances were the best of any other team’s average on Sunday.

Kyle Petty and the #45 National Tire and Battery Dodge team collected their best finish of the 2007 season on Sunday. Petty unofficially finished 18th on Sunday, but had a strong car throughout the day. The Billy Wilburn-led crew started the day 25th and waited to the end to show their cards. Petty was in the lead draft all day, but was cautious in case of the ‘big one’. Petty avoided the day’s two big wrecks and was making his charge at the end when the second wreck occurred. Petty hooked up with Scott Riggs and thy both used their Evernham Racing Engines to move to the front in the final laps. The final caution of the race scrambled the field, and Petty was given credit for 18th. Petty moved up one position to 33rd in driver points.

“We had a pretty good car today,” said Petty. “We weren’t seeing any problems with tires or anything. Billy and the guys did a great job with this car. The guys back at the shop prepared a fast car. It’s good for National Tire and Battery and everyone at Tire Kingdom. We have had a few good runs with them. We had a really good car to do something there at the end. The caution didn’t help us at the end.”

Jeff Gordon moved ahead the late Dale Earnhardt for most wins in Nextel Cup Sunday by winning the Aaron’s 499. Gordon won his second consecutive race of the season and his 77th in his career. Gordon led teammate Jimmie Johnson across the line.

Sunday’s race was the first restrictor plate race since the Daytona 500. The usual suspects, Hendrick Motorsports, Robert Yates Racing and now Petty Enterprises showed their strength at the “plate” races. Gordon won for the fifth time at the track and Johnson was strong all day, although, he was a big factor in causing a few accidents. Kurt Busch was consistent to finish third, and young David Gilliland piloted an always strong Yates car to fourth.

The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series heads to the .75-mile Richmond (Va.) International Raceway for next Saturday night’s Richmond 400. The race will be televised live by FOX and broadcast live on MRN Radio.