NASCAR reduces green-white-checkered restart attempts at Talladega

When cars race in huge packs and one small mistake can randomly take out a dozen drivers, losing a shot at a title run can be hard to swallow.

During a media event earlier this month, Brad Keselowski said the idea of reducing GWC attempts was "not a bad thing". In fact, the last time we've seen it may have been with Earnhardt Jr. during his Dale Earnhardt Inc. days, when he won five of seven races at Talladega (2001-2004), and his entire team - which included Michael Waltrip winning the only races of his career - had a decided advantage. The Talladega grandstand crowd typically is weighed heavily toward Earnhardt, and he is among the circuit's best drivers at its biggest track.

Earnhardt ranks tied with Jeff Gordon for the active lead with six wins at the Alabama track, and has won two of the three restrictor-plate races this season, including the May contest at Talladega.

"I wouldn't rather be going anywhere else than Talladega for the next race if we need a win", said Earnhardt Jr. after a disappointing showing at the Kansas Speedway last week.

Of the four teams issued a warning, only one - the Hendrick Motorsports team of driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. - is in the Chase. "And we went to Daytona (which, like Talladega is a restrictor plate track) and ran third in the 500 and we won our 125 (qualifying race)". Did you know: Denny Hamlin leads the points race for the remaining third-round spots, five points ahead of Kurt Busch. You both were present these drills they don't want them meddling in. He has a driver rating of 79.9, 10th in the field was eighth here in May and won the spring race in 2010.

"I've never thought it was a good idea to have it in the Chase, especially with this format", Stewart said. This season, he's won the last two plate races, and they've been his only wins of the season.

Kenseth dominated at Kansas, leading a race-high 153 laps, but finished 14th after contact from Logano in the closing laps while he was leading the race. His last win here came in this race in 2007 however and he has a driver rating of 79.2, 15th best. Kyle Busch is six points behind Truex Jr.

Junior needs to win at Talladega to advance to the Eliminator Round. If they play their cards right, Kyle Busch and the #18 team can advance out of the Contender round and should they do so, they look to be very unsafe in the next round of three races.

So expect a few respectful racing at 200 miles per hour at the front on Sunday. At that point, it is every driver for himself, with the goal of continuing in the Chase.

Joey Logano: With two wins in the Contender Round, he has clinched a spot. He led the most laps overall with 67, including the final 27. Ryan Newman is eight points back.