NASCAR Cup Series

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.

Richard Childress Racing teammates Paul Menard, Austin Dillon and Ryan Newman finished sixth, 15th and 19th, respectively. Newman ranks ninth in the Sprint Cup Series championship point standings, trailing current leader Jeff Gordon by 48 points, while Dillon ranks 14th and Menard 17th.

Trevor Bayne and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team have become known for their speed in restrictor-plate races at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, and Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega was no exception.

In only his fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start, Brian Scott and the No. 33 Shore Lodge Chevrolet SS captured the pole position for the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, which was his first pole in the NSCS. Scott led the field to green on the outside 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.

A year ago, Denny Hamlin did not feel healthy enough to finish the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. On Sunday, Hamlin couldn’t have felt better.

With Brian Scott's pole for Sunday's Aaron's 499, the question is raised on whether or not he could make it in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Martin Truex Jr. was running in the top-10 during the closing laps in Sunday's Aaron's 499 Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.

Chevrolet’s AJ Allmendinger received a final push from Paul Menard during the three-lap dash to the finish at Talladega Superspeedway, to finish fifth. The 188-lap NASCAR Sprint Cup race began with nine Chevrolet SS race cars leading the field to the green flag. At the end of the 499-mile race at the 2.66-mile superspeedway, five Chevrolet SS drivers recorded top-10 finishes. Allmendinger’s run was the first top-five finish for the No. 47 Bush’s Beans Chevrolet SS team this season.