I've just about calmed down from 'Dega now. There is something about watching restrictor plate racing that gets you on edge. Like watching two express trains head towards each other. You know how it's going to end (lots of twisted metal) but you want to see the metal twisting along the way. Of course it helps I could glide seemlessly from one object of hatred to another for the duration of the race, first Dave Blaney's electrics, then Goodyear tyres, then Carl Edwards.

Any 7 more drivers get the most pointless analysis in sport history, and I have to eat more than a little humble pie.

Martin Truex - If were going with the crash-bound express train similie from above, then Martin Truex was the passenger who was asleep. Talladega's wrecks are always going get innocent drivers cought up in them, but Truex had no chance to avoid Vickers after his tyre blew. It probably spoilt a great run, Truex had been running up front all day to that point, and given the performance of his DEI juniors he should have finished there as well, but we shall never know..............31%

Scott Riggs - Surprise No. 1. Who thought Scott Riggs would finish 7th at Talladega? Nope, no-one. He may have got lucky with avoiding the carnage, but that 7th place might just be the most important result of his year, not only does it edge the #66 further inside the top-35 for when Smoke consumes Haas next year, but it also adds another line to Scott's pretty limp racing CV, just when he needed it.................20%

Terry Labonte - Quick, someone do some research - is 17th the highest finish for the 45 car all season!! And it wasn't all luck, Terry caught a slice of Vickers, Truex et al melee and OK he made it back onto the lead lap with the help of a few free passes, but simply to hang in the lead pack with a repaired car when so many others couldn't deserves a mention..........57%

Jamie McMurray - Another driver to get a slice of big one part 1, only he got a much bigger slice, knocking him down by 30 laps by the end and putting him down to a 32nd place finish. Again it's a case of what if. Jamie was up front for the crash, and had already had his turn at leading the pack (but who hadn't), but if he had of been running, Carl Edwards would probably have seen to him along with most of the Roushketeers........35%

Jeff Burton - Was there any luckier man by the end of race? OK, JJ for one, but Jeff ran him a close second. His missing of the first big wreck is probably best measured is inches, as opposed to Reed Sorensen's which is measured in millimetres, but he also had to drive though the ever lasting second wreck that seemed to claim cars that had already driven through it. Finishing 4th is probably the least the universe can do to repay him for a hard days work............17%

Robby Gordon - Now for the apologies, as well as surprise No. 2. In the preview bit of this blog last week I predicted that Robby, or Paul Menard would cause the big wreck. OK, I was wrong. Robby almost served a purpose this week, to keep Jimmie Johnson a lap down, a move that would have helped the race for the title no end, Unfortunately Goodyear's rubber let Johnson and his monobrow back into the race for big points. Aside from that Robby finished 8th, which is good, but there's not much I had saved up to type if he did well.........19%

Paul Menard - It's Surpise No. 3. Paul Menard does good, or at least not badly. He qualified well, and stayed up front all race, he avoided all the wrecks that took out bigger names than him. He even played good team boy second fiddle to try and push Regan Smith past Smoke in the final lap, only to be let down by a NASCAR call, and probably Smith's unwillingness to send Tony spinning into the grass. There isn't really much I can fault. I know it feels wrong too.........9%

Honorary Field Fillers

DEI - This is not my way of redressing the Menard bashing balance, but come on guys! There are two laps to go, and three of you nose to tail. You have an infinate headstart on everyone else when it comes to organising a challenge for the lead, and as soon as the green flag flies one of you pulls out. Come On!!

Carl Edwards - After the Pass-in-the-wall last week I was willing to give you benefit of the doubt, but perhaps you just can't drive. He was headed to this place long before the wreck after he managed to spin exiting pit road, but his over zealous bumping though the corner sealed his fate. Then there's the fact that he alone takes out even more cars as he spins down the track. Argh!!

Quote of the week

I don't like Jimmie Johnson, I don't like Hendrick, and I don't like Chad Knaus, but my word the man interviews well, and seems to have a glimmer of a sense of humour under that cheating exterior, how else sould a man come out with

"There are only about 5 cars left, can't we at least try and go for the win"

Next Week

Ryan Newman, Sterling Marlin, David Reutimann and Travis Kvapil appear after their problems, as does Martin Truex (again). Scott Riggs also returns and so does the #45 car, under the command of Chad McCumbee at Lowe's.