5 Points to Ponder: 2009 AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Edition
Racing at Talladega has often been called a “parade” by fans who don’t like restrictor plates, but this week actually looked like a parade.
Racing at Talladega has often been called a “parade” by fans who don’t like restrictor plates, but this week actually looked like a parade.
Entering this weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway, everyone knew Sunday’s (Nov. 2) AMP Energy 500 would be one of the wildest races of 2009.
What Denny Hamlin did not count on is that a remark made by ESPN analyst Bob Griese the previous day would trump his win and the Chase for coverage.
Although he didn’t win on Sunday, Jimmie Johnson continued his death grip on the top spot in the Power Rankings with his second-place finish at Martinsville.
Fast forward to Sunday’s return to the track in the shadow of the Blue Ridge and there’s three words that sum up where we are: Jimmie flipping Johnson.
The usual suspects played “follow the leader” at Martinsville in what proved to be a fairly competitive race.
This week, here’s a sneak peek at what they all were thinking following the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
3 – number of times winner Denny Hamlin led the TUMS Fast Relief 500 Sunday.
Denny Hamlin held off charges by Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Juan Pablo Montoya during a flurry of late-race restarts to claim another win at Martinsville.
Not only has the Chase overshadowed Hamlin’s successful weekend, it’s condensed the final 10 races into a select few, predetermined storylines.