BAD DAY AT TALLADEGA FOR CHEVY DRIVERS

With 10 laps to go in the 188-lap Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway (TSS), Team Chevy drivers Jeff Gordon, No. 24 DuPont Impala SS, Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s Impala SS, Casey Mears, No. 5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Impala SS, Clint Bowyer, No. 07 DIRECTV Impala SS, Jeff Burton, No. 31 AT & T Impala SS and Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil Impala SS had put themselves in position to be contenders for the victory.

However, coming out of turn two on the final lap of the race, two simultaneous, but separate incidents started a chain reaction that damaged at least 11 cars and ended the race at that point in the NASCAR scoring loop, per the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) rule book.

Mears cleared the accident to finish seventh, while Bowyer snuck through the debris to be scored ninth in the final finishing order. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Impala SS, finished 10th by snaking his way through the melee, despite sustaining damage in a multi-car accident on lap 175 that ended his changes for victory. Earnhardt Jr. led 12 times during the race for a total of 46 laps.

Burton continues as the NSCS points leader with a 12th place finish despite receiving damage in the “Big One”. Johnson, defending NSCS champion, finished 13th with Paul Menard, No. 15 Menard’s Impala SS, finishing 14th.

Gordon was scored in the 19th finishing position and Harvick was awarded the 24th spot in the final order. Pole sitter Joe Nemechek, No. 78 National Day of Prayer Impala SS, finished 25th.

A total of five Team Chevy drivers are in the thick of the battle for the top-12 in the standings with nine races in the books. Earnhardt Jr. is third, Johnson sits fourth. Harvick and Bowyer are sixth and seventh respectively.

Chevrolet continues to lead the NSCS Manufacturers’ Cup standings in pursuit of its 32nd title.  (file photo by Ron Lewis) [5/2/08]

NEW ’55 FOR CARPENTER

We got a couple of spy photos of Charles Carpenter’s new Pro Mod. The car is 99% complete, and has just a few small things left to do to be ready for the track. The team made some unique body modifications as you can see, but it's still got their classic paint scheme with a new twist. The car sits several inches lower than the previous car, and they achieved their goal of a lightweight hot rod: it weighs in at just over 2300 lbs. [5/2/08]