NASCAR News | April 25, 2010

Lap-by-Lap: Talladega

By NASCAR.COM
April 25, 2010


Lap 200—CHECKERED FLAG: Kevin Harvick edges past Jamie McMurray at the finish line to win the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega. Harvick moves up two spots in the driver standings and claims the second spot in the points’ standings, behind Jimmie Johnson.

Lap 199—WHITE FLAG: Jamie McMurray continues to lead as Kevin Harvick charges toward the front.

Lap 198—GREEN FLAG NO 3: Jamie McMurray leads the field to green.

Lap 197—Juan Montoya said he plans to run the car straight out of gas before he pits this late in the race.

Lap 196—YELLOW FLAG NO. 8: Jimmie Johnson crashed into the inside wall and sustains significant damage after connecting with Greg Biffle. Kurt Busch just misses the wreck. Johnson is headed to the garage and is out of the race.

Lap 195—GREEN FLAG NO. 2: Jamie McMurray leads the field to green from the inside with Greg Biffle on the outside. Greg Biffle had trouble getting up to speed.

Lap 193 — Ryan Newman reports he was turned around by Joey Logano in Turn 3 and said he would have done the same thing had the roles been reversed, considering the circumstances and where they were on the track.

Lap 192—Jeff Burton and his crew are trying to finish with repairs and get back on the track to finish the race.

Lap 191—Jamie McMurray still leads but is worried about fuel, as are most of the drivers on the lead lap.

Lap 190—YELLOW FLAG NO 7: Several cars are into the wall, starting with Ryan Newman. Brad Keselowski is involved. Joey Logano causes the wreck by getting into the back of Newman. All drivers are out of their cars and reported to be OK. Several drivers are worried about fuel—including Juan Montoya in second.

Lap 189—GREEN FLAG NO. 1: Jamie McMurray leads the field to green from the inside with Tony Stewart on the outside.

Lap 186—Jimmie Johnson heads to pit road to fix a tire rub and repair a quarter panel. Kasey Kahne also makes a pit stop.

Lap 185—Tony Stewart moves into second, behind Jamie McMurray. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is in fourth.

Lap 183—YELLOW FLAG NO 6: Jeff Gordon and Scott Speed connect and slide through the grass near Turn 3. Jeff Burton is involved. Gordon heads to pit road and will try to finish on the lead lap. Kurt Busch gets the free pass and will restart on the lead lap.

Lap 181 — Tony Stewart moves up to fourth.

Lap 180—Jamie McMurray leads Greg Biffle. Kevin Harvick moves up to fifth.

Lap 179—GREEN FLAG: Jamie McMurray leads the field to green with nine laps to go.

Lap 178—In second, Juan Montoya follows his teammate and race leader Jamie McMurray.

Lap 177—LEAD CHANGE: Jeff Burton heads to pit road, Jamie McMurray takes the lead.

Lap 176—YELLOW FLAG NO. 5: Bobby Labonte brings out the caution after getting turned around by David Reutimann.

Lap 175—Jeff Burton leads a seven-car breakaway at the front, splitting the field in two.

Lap 172 — Jeff Gordon moves up a spot to 11th.

Lap 171—Dale Earnhardt Jr. is running in sixth as most of the top 10 cars remain the same.

Lap 169—Kasey Kahne goes a lap down.

Lap 168—Twenty-nine cars continue to race on the lead lap.

Lap 167—The field continues to tighten itself up. Jamie McMurray—in second— is on the bumper of Jeff Burton (leader) as Juan Montoya continues to hold the third spot.

Lap 166—Most of the field continues to race single file on the outside. Jeff Burton continues to lead.

Lap 164—Less than 25 laps to go.

Lap 163 — Jeff Burton continues to fight off Jamie McMurray (in second) for the lead.

Lap 161—LEAD CHANGE: Jeff Burton leads the field. There have been 29 race leaders.

Lap 160—LEAD CHANGE: Jamie McMurray races back into the lead, followed by teammate Juan Montoya and drivers begin pairing up.

Lap 159—LEAD CHANGE: Jeff Gordon gets a push and drives into the lead.

Lap 158—Juan Montoya continues to race on the bumper of his teammate and race leader Jamie McMurray.

Lap 157—LEAD CHANGE: Jamie McMurray claims the top spot with teammate Juan Montoya on his bumper.

Lap 155—Jamie McMurray moves back into second with teammate Juan Montoya in third.

Lap 153—LEAD CHANGE: David Reutimann moves to the front.

Lap 152—LEAD CHANGE: Denny Hamlin takes the lead from Juan Montoya, who drops several spots.

Lap 150—Juan Montoya holds off Joey Logano, who has moved into second. Jamie McMurray drops back to sixth.

Lap 148 — Juan Montoya continues to get help from his teammate Jamie McMurray and leads the field. Joey Logano moves up to third.

Lap 147—LEAD CHANGE: Juan Montoya takes the lead as drivers pit. Robby Gordon and Kurt Busch are penalized for leaving too quickly off of pit road.

Lap 146—Several drivers head to pit road for what should be their final pit stops of the race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes two tires. Jimmie Johnson gets fuel and two tires. Jeff Gordon takes four tires. Denny Hamlin takes four tires. Tony Stewart takes two tires.

Lap 145—LEAD CHANGE: Denny Hamlin reclaims the lead from David Regan.

Lap 144—LEAD CHANGE: David Regan takes the lead from Denny Hamlin, marking a new record for lead changes in a Cup race at Talladega.

Lap 143—Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch race side-by-side for second.

Lap 142—Kevin Harvick moves up to second after driving toward the back of the pack for most of the day.

Lap 141—LEAD CHANGE: Denny Hamlin becomes the 27th race leader of the day, after 76 lead changes.

Lap 138—David Reutimann continues to run on the bumper of Brian Vickers, in second. Mike Bliss moves to fourth after starting 37th.

Lap 137—Kyle Busch continues a string of fast laps to lead the field.

Lap 136—Drivers are starting to become more aggressive as the race nears completion. Jeff Burton moves back into fifth. At least one pit stop is anticipated to take place before the race ends.

Lap 135—Kyle Busch continues to lead the field but Brian Vickers is on his bumper with David Reutimann closing from third.

Lap 134—Jeff Gordon gets a push from teammate Jimmie Johnson and moves up to fifth.

Lap 133—Juan Montoya moves up to fifth.

Lap 132—LEAD CHANGE: Kyle Busch is back into the top spot.

Lap 130—LEAD CHANGE: Denny Hamlin passes Brian Vickers. Joey Logano moves back up to second.

Lap 129—Mark Martin moves into seventh. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is moving up the middle in eighth.

Lap 128—Thirty-three cars continue to run on the lead lap, with 73 lead changes and 27 different race leaders at Talladega.

Lap 127—Juan Montoya moves up to eighth after starting 24th.

Lap 126—David Reutimann continues to run on the bumper of race leader Brian Vickers.

Lap 125—Kevin Harvick continues to run toward the back of the pack and plans to make a charge with 15 laps to go.

Lap 124 — Jimmie Johnson has dropped back tenth.

Lap 123—Brian Vickers continues to run ahead of the field. Denny Hamlin moves back up to third. Jeff Gordon has dropped back to 24th.

Lap 122—LEAD CHANGE: Brian Vickers leads the field with David Reutimann on his bumper. One additional pit stop should be coming up for most of the field in 20 laps.

Lap 119—A.J. Allmendinger continues to lead.

Lap 118—LEAD CHANGE: A.J. Allmendinger drags Kyle Busch past Jimmie Johnson and reclaims the lead. Jeff Burton reports a vibration.

Lap 117—LEAD CHANGE: Jimmie Johnson leads the field.

Lap 114—LEAD CHANGE: A.J. Allmendinger passes Kyle Busch for the lead, becoming the 27th race leader. Allmendinger dropped back fast however.

Lap 113 — LEAD CHANGE: Kyle Busch moves into the lead. Jimmie Johnson moves up to second.

Lap 112—LEAD CHANGE: Joey Logano continues to run fast, passing Brian Vickers to reclaim the lead.

Lap 111—LEAD CHANGE: Brian Vickers takes the lead from Joey Logano. Vickers is looking for a driver to work with him during the race.

Lap 109—Joey Logano continues to lead. Jeff Burton makes his way toward the front.

Lap 108—LEAD CHANGE: Joey Logano leads Kyle Busch in second. Then, Busch is passed by David Reutimann, who continues to pursue the lead.

Lap 106—LEAD CHANGE: Denny Hamlin leads the field, just ahead of David Reutimann.

Lap 105—GREEN FLAG: Greg Biffle and Denny Hamlin lead the front row to green.

Lap 104—LEAD CHANGE: As Mark Martin pits, Greg Biffle moves into the lead, followed by Denny Hamlin in second.

Lap 103—Jamie McMurray moves up to third after starting the race in 21st.

Lap 102—LEAD CHANGE: Mark Martin leads the field as Denny Hamlin heads to pit road. Hamlin gets right-side tires. Carl Edwards is running in second.

Lap 101—LEAD CHANGE: Denny Hamlin moves into the lead while under caution. David Reutimann is running in second. Denny Hamlin slid through the infield earlier in the race.

Lap 100—YELLOW FLAG NO. 4: Regan Smith is blowing smoke and sliding through the track apron.

Lap 99—Kasey Kahne is doing his best to hold off Greg Biffle on his bumper and Kyle Busch on the inside.

Lap 98—Kasey Kahne holds off Greg Biffle and Kyle Busch to stay in the lead.

Lap 97—LEAD CHANGE: Kasey Kahne moves into the lead.

Lap 96—LEAD CHANGE: Regan Smith gets a push from David Reutimann and takes the lead as the two bump draft down the straightaway.

Lap 95—Greg Biffle is on the bumper of Kasey Kahne and trying to claim the top spot.

Lap 94—LEAD CHANGE: Kasey Kahne becomes the 25th leader at Talladega.

Lap 93—Kyle Busch leads Jimmie Johnson in second as the pack thickens.

Lap 92—LEAD CHANGE: Kyle Busch takes the lead.

Lap 91—LEAD CHANGE: Jeff Gordon takes the lead as Jimmie Johnson looks to talk strategy with Michael Waltrip.

Lap 90—LEAD CHANGE: David Reutimann gets a push from Jeff Gordon and moves into the lead.

Lap 89—GREEN FLAG: Jimmie Johnson leads the field under green. Thirty-three cars are on the lead lap.

Lap 88—LEAD CHANGE: Jimmie Johnson takes the lead as Travis Kvapil heads to pit road. Joey Logano has run in the top 20 the entire race. Kevin Conway is assessed a penalty on pit road .There have been 56 lead changes.

Lap 87—LEAD CHANGE: Travis Kvapil takes the lead in the No. 34 ahead of Jamie McMurray in second. A total of eight cars were involved in the crash.

Lap 86—LEAD CHANGE: Ryan Newman takes the lead under caution, followed by Travis Kvapil.

Lap 85—Several cars head to pit road. David Reutimann takes fuel only. Jeff Gordon takes fuel only as well. Greg Biffle has his shocks adjusted. Jimmie Johnson is topped off with fuel. Brad Keselowski gets the free pass. Johnny Sauter is out of the race.

Lap 84—YELLOW FLAG NO. 3: Several cars wreck and bring out the caution in the tri oval. Johnny Sauter gets into the wall, starting the chain reaction. Sauter reports no injuries. Kyle Busch has sustained damage and is headed for repairs. Matt Kenseth has damage to both sides of the car. Elliott Sadler has right-front damage.

Lap 83—LEAD CHANGE: David Reutimann becomes the 21st race leader of the day at Talladega.

Lap 82—LEAD CHANGE: Jeff Gordon edges past Kyle Busch and into the lead for the second time today.

Lap 81—LEAD CHANGE: Kyle Busch passes brother Kurt and leads the field .

Lap 80—GREEN FLAG: Kurt Busch leads his brother Kyle ( in second) to the green flag.

Lap 79—LEAD CHANGE: Kurt Busch becomes the 21st race leader after 49 lead changes at Talladega. Thirty-seven cars are on the lead lap. Mark Martin has a longer than expected stop on pit road. Matt Kenseth is back on the lead lap.

Lap 78 — Mark Martin started tenth and has moved into second.

Lap 77—LEAD CHANGE: As most of the field heads to pit road, Paul Menard stays out on the track and takes the lead.

Lap 76—YELLOW FLAG NO 2: Denny Hamlin spins out through the grass after trying to move past Michael Waltrip, who brushed the wall.

Lap 75—LEAD CHANGE: Elliott Sadler edges Kyle Busch for the lead.

Lap 74—LEAD CHANGE: Kyle Busch races hard past Jimmie Johnson and David Reutimann to claim the lead.

Lap 73—LEAD CHANGE: David Reutimann passes Jimmie Johnson to become the 20th leader of the day.

Lap 72—LEAD CHANGE: Regan Smith finds the lead, just ahead of Jimmie Johnson in second.

Lap 71—LEAD CHANGE: Joey Logano takes the top spot from Michael Waltrip.

Lap 70—LEAD CHANGE: Michael Waltrip becomes the 19th race leader of the day at Talladega.

Lap 69—LEAD CHANGE: Jimmie Johnson doesn’t waste time moving back to the top spot.

Lap 68—LEAD CHANGE: Jeff Gordon moves past his teammate Jimmie Johnson and into the lead for the first time of the day.

Lap 67—LEAD CHANGE: Jimmie Johnson moves past David Reutimann and into the lead.

Lap 66—LEAD CHANGE: Denny Hamlin moves into the lead. Several cars head to pit road. Brad Keselowski and Marcos Ambrose connect but save their cars.

Lap 65 — LEAD CHANGE: Jeff Burton moves into the lead. Eight cars head to pit road under green.

Lap 64—LEAD CHANGE: Jimmie Johnson becomes the 18th race leader of the day after 36 lead changes at Talladega.

Lap 63 — Michael Waltrip moves up to second after pushing Brian Vickers into the lead.

Lap 62—LEAD CHANGE: Brian Vickers leads his fourth lap of the race.

Lap 61—Kyle Busch holds off Jeff Burton.

Lap 60—LEAD CHANGE: Kyle Busch catches Jeff Burton at the start/finish line to take the lead.

Lap 59—LEAD CHANGE: Sam Hornish Jr. gets a push from Michael Waltrip for the lead.

Lap 58—Pit stops should be eight to ten laps away.

Lap 57 — Jimmie Johnson passes Kyle Busch for second. Matt Kenseth goes a lap down.

Lap 56—Jeff Burton and Kyle Busch begin to separate themselves from Kasey Kahne, in third.

Lap 55—Michael Waltrip moves into fourth after starting the race in 43rd.

Lap 54—Jeff Burton and Kyle Busch have hooked up to run 1-2 against the field. Kasey Kahne makes a move on Kyle Busch for second but Busch is able to hold Kahne off.

Lap 53—Kyle Busch continue to pursue Jeff Burton from the second position.

Lap 52—Kasey Kahne started 22nd and has moved up to third.

Lap 51—LEAD CHANGE: David Ragan drops back several spots as Jeff Burton takes the lead.

Lap 50—LEAD CHANGE: David Ragan finds a spot on the track to move past Brad Keselowski and into the lead.

Lap 49—David Ragan continues to chase the bumper of Brad Keselowski.

Lap 48—LEAD CHANGE: Brad Keselowski becomes the 17th leader of the race.

Lap 47 — Dale Earnhardt Jr. drop back to seventh.

Lap 46—LEAD CHANGE: Kurt Busch started ninth and moves into first to become the 16th race leader of the day. No driver has led more than eight laps to this point.

Lap 45—LEAD CHANGE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. is hesitant to give up the lead and moves past Kyle Busch again.

Lap 44—LEAD CHANGE: Kyle Busch does battle with Earnhardt. Jr. and claims the top spot.

Lap 43—LEAD CHANGE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. finds the front again.

Lap 42—LEAD CHANGE: Jeff Burton takes the lead with help from Kyle Busch as the two drivers blow past the field. Kyle Busch tells his crew his car is incredible fast.

Lap 41—Jeff Burton makes a power move, drafting with Kyle Busch to pursue the lead.

Lap 40—Brian Vickers continues to run strong in second as Jimmie Johnson drops to sixth.

Lap 39—LEAD CHANGE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets a push from Brian Vickers and the 88 moves back to the front.

Lap 38—LEAD CHANGE: Jimmie Johnson takes the lead.

Lap 37—Jimmie Johnson has moved up to second, trying to lead a lap.

Lap 36—Dale Earnhardt Jr. fights back to second.

Lap 35—LEAD CHANGE: Michael Waltrip reclaims the lead from A.J. Allmendinger.

Lap 34—LEAD CHANGE: A.J. Allmendinger passes Michael Waltrip for the lead.

Lap 33 — Michael Waltrip continues to hold off the field as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin do battle for the second spot.

Lap 32—Paul Menard moves up to fourth after starting 18th.

Lap 31—LEAD CHANGE: Michael Waltrip becomes the 14th race leader of the day, being followed by A.J. Allmendinger in second.

Lap 30—LEAD CHANGE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. edges past Denny Hamlin for the lead.

Lap 29—LEAD CHANGE: Denny Hamlin becomes the 12th race leader of the day at Talladega.

Lap 28—Jimmie Johnson works to draft with Kyle Busch. Denny Hamlin moves to third.

Lap 27—Jimmie Johnson moves up five spots after the first caution, into fifth.

Lap 26—LEAD CHANGE: Brian Vickers passes the field to claim the top spot.

Lap 25 — Joey Logano is on the bumper of Kurt Busch but Busch holds the lead. Kasey Kahne is reporting an odd noise coming from his engine.

Lap 24—GREEN FLAG: Kurt Busch leads his teammate Sam Hornish Jr. and the rest of the field.

Lap 23 — LEAD CHANGE: Kurt Busch moves to the front as Robby Gordon head to pit road.

Lap 22 — Robby Gordon continues to lead as most drivers have headed to pit road.

Lap 21—LEAD CHANGE: Robby Gordon takes the lead as several drivers head to pit road.

Lap 20—YELLOW FLAG NO. 1: A competition caution is in effect as some drivers reporting oil on the track coming from Matt Kenseth, but nothing has been confirmed.

Lap 19—LEAD CHANGE: Jeff Burton edges past Joey Logano after getting a push from Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Lap 18 — Jimmie Johnson has dropped to 11th after starting on the pole.

Lap 17 — Joey Logano has led the most laps so far as Dale Earnhardt pushes into third.

Lap 16 — Joey Logano and teammate Kyle Busch hold off the field to go 1-2.

Lap 15—LEAD CHANGE: Joey Logano fights off Kyle and Kurt Busch for the lead.

Lap 14 — Joey Logano moves up the field and is fighting for the lead with Kurt Busch.

Lap 13—LEAD CHANGE: Kurt Busch moves past the field to set the pace.

Lap 12—Regan Smith and Denny Hamlin fight for the lead.

Lap 11 — Mark Martin moves to second after starting 10th.

Lap 10—LEAD CHANGE: David Ragan started 26th and wasted no time moving up the field an into the lead.

Lap 9—LEAD CHANGE: Elliott Sadler claims the lead from Tony Stewart after starting the race in 27th.

Lap 8—LEAD CHANGE: Tony Stewart becomes the sixth race leader at Talladega.

Lap 7—Elliott Sadler moved up to fourth after starting 27th.

Lap 6—LEAD CHANGE: Denny Hamlin works with Dale Earnhardt Jr. (in second) and takes the lead.

Lap 5—LEAD CHANGE: Kevin Harvick takes the lead, pursued by Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch, who started ninth.

Lap 4—LEAD CHANGE: Matt Kenseth makes a strong push toward the front, pursued by Kevin Harvick.

Lap 3—LEAD CHANGE: Joey Logano takes the lead while drafting with Denny Hamlin.

Lap 2 — Kyle Busch maintain his lead over Jeff Burton in second.

Lap 1 — LEAD CHANGE: Kyle Busch gets an assist from Jeff Burton and takes the lead from Jimmie Johnson.

1:20 p.m.—GREEN FLAG: Jimmie Johnson brings the field to the green as the 188-lap Aaron’s 499 is under way.

1:18 p.m.—There will be a competition caution at Lap 20. No team can fuel the car before Lap 20.

1:11 p.m.—The cars are rolling off pit road for their warm-up laps.

1:07 p.m.—Mal Moore, director of athletics at the University of Alabama, gives the command: “Gentlemen, start your engines!”

1:02 p.m. —Recording artist Brittini Black performs the national anthem.

1:01 p.m.—Reverend Mark Stokes of Alabama Raceway Ministries and pastor of Camellia Baptist Church in Prattville, Ala., delivers the Invocation.

Noon—FOX’s pre-race coverage of the Aaron’s 499 is under way.

10:33 a.m. ET—After severe weather canceled Saturday’s events at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday’s forecast calls for sunny conditions throughout the day. Green for the Aaron’s 499 is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. ET with Jimmie Johnson on the pole.

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