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VAN DYCK: The tempest in Talladega

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Updated Apr 5, 2003 6:24 PM ET
     
 

TALLADEGA, Ala.

NASCAR brings its traveling road show to Talladega on Sunday for what is called the Aaron's 499 (don't ask why). This 2 1/2-mile oval produces the fastest, most furious, fender-bending racing of the year, a track that still is home to the quickest lap and five of the six most competitive races in NASCAR history This year it could produce more history, with . trying for an unprecedented fourth straight victory on this superspeedway that made his daddy famous. So let's look at all the factors that go into making this such a fascinating race for the fans: The feelings, finagling, fears, faults, ferocity, fuel concerns, feuds and friendships.

The feelings

What's it like during a race at Talladega? The best description we've heard comes from veteran , who owns the record for fastest race (1997). "It's exciting for the fans, but it's really hard for the drivers," Martin said. "Driving (here) is like driving down a busy interstate with construction going on. "There aren't any lines painted on the road and traffic shifts pretty quick around the construction. You just have to hope everyone around you does the right thing. If they do, you will be OK, but if they don't then who knows what will happen? "Still, Talladega is a fast race and a great race for the fans." They race three-wide here, sometimes four, and they can do it for laps. They can also string into a thundering freight train "It's just pretty much pedal-to-the-metal and go," said.

Fear factor

This being restrictor-plate racing at Talladega, drivers live in dread of what has become known as the Big One. The Big One — thought by many to be inevitable — is a multi-car wreck at 190 miles an hour, created because the cars usually run in one large pack. If one of them goes, a dozen could go with it. "Talladega is one of the most nerve-wracking experiences for a driver," said , who starts on the inside of the second row Sunday. "We are all running 190-plus for three hours, two inches from each other's bumpers. "There is always a chance for somebody to make a mistake, and when that happens at Talladega, it's always big. "What some people don't know is the banking at Talladega is like six stories high. When we round the corner, I can look to my left and see the roofs on campers in the infield." The corners at 'Dega are banked 33 degrees, allowing drivers to almost slingshot their way around the track. But you have to stay with the pack or risk going to the rear. "I know I catch flak for saying this, but I honestly believe that 99 out of 100 times, the Big One is started by driver error," said. "Some teams come in with a strategy on how to avoid it, but it's really a game of chance." The best way to avoid the Big One? "Be out in front," Harvick said. "But even then you're vulnerable."

Safety factor

After Dale Earnhardt lost his life at Daytona's superspeedway, NASCAR went into high gear on safety issues. All cars have "black boxes," sophisticated computerized gadgetry that records all movements and allows for diagnosis of accidents. Safety nets and bars have been added and/or moved in the cockpit. Seat construction has been changed. Research has started on soft walls for racetracks and crushable front ends for racecars. The most publicized change was the mandated head-and-neck device that keeps drivers from fatally snapping spinal cords on impact. "The cars are a lot safer than they've ever been," said. "But you've got issues (with the devices), about being able to see out of them real good. "I haven't been on my roof yet (during an accident), and I hope I don't ever get on my roof with these new rules. "I know the two guys who have been have been a little nervous. and showed some concern about wishing they could pop their belts and climb out the window, but there's a lot more things you've got to pop now." On the whole, however, drivers are protected better than ever. During Saturday's Busch race at Talladega, the Big One claimed 19 cars — nearly half the field — on the eighth lap, but none of the drivers was seriously injured.

Front factor

At Talladega, you don't have to start on the pole to win. In fact, only one fastest qualifier has won the race since 1985. You can be running in first place and be leap-frogged into 12th in half a lap. You can't go from 12th to first that fast, but you can work your way up, with a little help (more on that later). "You hear a lot of drivers saying it doesn't matter where you start here, it's where you finish," Sunday's pole-sitter said. "You go from the back to the front, and I'm sure sometime Sunday we'll be from the front to the back and we'll be back up there." Said Earnhardt Jr.: "It's harder here to keep the lead here than it is at Daytona because it's wider. You've got a lot more racetrack to be watching."

Friend, feud factor

Hey, nothing beats getting a little help from your friends at Talladega. Why? Because you almost always need a dancing partner to go forward. Doing anything on your own can be very dangerous, so drivers try to find a drafting buddy, usually a teammate. "Teamwork is necessary to be successful, but it doesn't have to come from a teammate," said. Of course, this being NASCAR, you don't always know who your friends are. "All of the drivers and spotter will be making deals during the race," two-time winner said. "The problem is anticipating when a deal might be broken. "I'll try and work with my teammates (at Hendricks) and see if we can draft to the front. But even with teammates, deals may be broken if a win is on the line."

Fuel factor

The four races at the superspeedways now require seven or eight pit stops, because of smaller (13-gallon) fuel cells. The new rule was designed to keep the cars strung in single file (thus avoiding the Big One) following fuel fill-ups. Last fall's race at Talladega was the first under the new rules. "It was the first race where we used the (smaller) fuel cell and it did break up the field for a while but eventually everyone got packed back up," said. Of course, the more times you pit, the more chances to have a bad experience or bad luck. "I go to Darlington and pit running fifth and the caution flag comes out and I lose two laps," Wallace said. "I go to Bristol running fourth and I pit and I lose two laps because the caution flag comes out again. I go to Texas running seventh and I pit and the caution flag comes out again and I lose another three laps."

Finagling factor

Cheating is nothing new in NASCAR, but officials seem more intent on catching those who bend the rules. For instance, at Texas last week, defending points champion had his entire car impounded, an unprecedented move for NASCAR. While Stewart's team will not be fined, other teams have been put on notice that big brother is watching. Stewart's car was put on display outside the garages at Texas as a warning, because "we did feel it was important for all teams to be able to look at the racecar." Winston Cup director John Barnes said that and added: "I don't see us ever backing off. As soon as you open the door, the cow gets out of the barnyard. One you can get back in. When the whole herd's out in the field, it's hard to get them back into the barn."

And finally

This race is 500 miles (OK, actually 499) and sometimes there isn't one easy lap -- unlike qualifying. "You're only running 185 miles an hour (in qualifying), where this track was designed to run 230 or 240, so it's really not that difficult," Waltrip said. "But, conversely, when the race starts, it is the hardest job there is in our sport, trying to figure out how to position yourself to get toward the front and be able to have success on race day. "We earn our money on Sunday." Oh, yeah, finances. There's more than $4 million to be earned Sunday. Senior writer Dave van Dyck covers NASCAR for FOXSports.com and can be reached at his e-mail address, dvandyck@foxsports.com.

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