SM Staff

Clint Bowyer’s tenure in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series reaches a milestone this weekend when he makes his 300th career-start at an ideal place, his home track of Kansas Speedway.

On Monday, Indianapolis Motor Speedway played host the formal Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program. The program is designed to make sure that rookies set to enter the 2014 Indianapolis 500 are up to speed with the veterans.

"We've kind of been preaching and beating up how we are on all the other racetracks. You know, coming to this racetrack you know it's an equalizer and you've got as good a shot as anyone."

From the wild knock out qualifying that netted Brian Scott the pole position to the crazy green-white-checkered race finish, here is what was surprising and not surprising in the 45th annual Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Greg Biffle reassured his presence in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series after finishing second in the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday afternoon, however, he’s still scratching his head on what could have been had his crew alluded him there was debris spread across the start/finish line.

When trouble struck as the white flag was waving, Denny Hamlin was in the perfect position. He was out front and stayed there until NASCAR threw the yellow flag for debris scattered across the frontstretch. This is the No.11 team’s first victory of the season and the one likely providing a Chase berth.

For the first time since 2012 and the first time in a Joe Gibbs Racing car, Elliott Sadler was victorious in the Nationwide Series as he won the Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway.

David Gilliland and David Ragan’s final-lap heave at Talladega Superspeedway last season defined their demeanor and willingness to help further their team’s recognition and competitiveness.

Catching the run at the right time through the apron in the third round of qualifying, 26-year-old Brian Scott would come across the line with a lap of 48.293 seconds to score his first career Coors Light Pole Award in his fifth Sprint Cup Series start. Scott’s previous best qualifying attempt was a 12th in the season opening Daytona 500.

CARL EDWARDS – No. 99 Fastenal Ford Fusion – “It worked out OK. The final roll of the dice didn’t end up the way we wanted, but it was still fun. I had a good time. We didn’t have a very good plan and it still ended up OK for us, so I feel good about 10th.”