NASCAR Sprint Cup: 7 Lessons We Learned at the Quaker State 400 in Kentucky

Horsepower of a different type took center stage as NASCAR's elite headed to the Bluegrass State to fight for that all-important win in the inaugural Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway.

There are no notes for the teams to fall back on. An inaugural race is a learning experience, and you need to learn fast to do well.

Every track has its quirks, but Kentucky Speedway may well be the bumpiest of any track on the circuit for the Cup series.

The challenge to set up the shocks and springs to handle the rough track was a major concern for every team.

The cars had to be able to handle the speed on the track with relatively little banking, multi-grooves and passing in those rough areas without losing position.

People in the tri-state area waited 11 years for Kentucky Speedway to get a Cup race. Bruton Smith bought the track in 2008 and waded through lawsuits and lots of money to bring the race to fruition.

As a sellout crowd of 107,000 people filled the grandstands, other fans filled any space they could find to watch the Cup drivers battle in the Quaker State 400.

It was a high-stakes race for many reasons with only eight more chances to make the Chase when the drivers leave Kentucky.

Let's see what lessons we learned at the NASCAR Sprint Cup's inaugural Quaker State 400.

1. They Promised More Than What Was Delivered

There was much hype about Kentucky Speedway finally getting its first NASCAR Sprint Cup Race. It was a big deal to race fans in the tri-state area who had waited for this race.

It was promised to be an exciting race with the bumpy track surface sure to be a real challenge for the teams as far as getting a good setup on the cars.

Fans expected to see some three-wide racing and a bit of action. What they saw was a typical race that you see on a 1.5-mile oval course with the leaders running away and long green flag runs.

There was little drama, not much fender banging and a few passes that caused some three-wide sightings. The tires held up well despite the rough patches that really didn't seem to be problematic.

Drivers had mixed feelings about the existing surface, with some liking the track character and others mandating a repave. It didn't seem to matter as the cars just went round and round.

All in all, the race was a bit boring, and there was little of the expected excitement at the Quaker State 400.

2. Angry and Disappointed Fans

One lesson learned at this inaugural race was don't invite in excess of 110,000 people if you can't get them to the race.

Gridlock getting into the track from the interstate was horrific. Many people were still stuck in traffic with the race nearing the midpoint. No doubt some never made it to the seats they paid for.

Those who did get somewhat close to the facility near the time for the race to begin found it almost impossible to secure a parking spot.

There certainly had to be thousands of upset fans who will think twice about returning to the track for a Cup race until these kinds of problems have been addressed.

Track owner Bruton Smith knew traffic and parking would be an issue. He told the media at the track prior to the race, "We expect everyone to be home by Tuesday."

3. Jamie McMurray's Season Continues to Slide

Jamie McMurray continued to show how a driver can go from hero to zero—metaphorically speaking—with his dismal season this year compared to the big wins for him in 2010.

One of the few caution flags caused by a car came about when McMurray's engine detonated big time. The Earnhardt-Ganassi driver had to stop on the track because of his inability to see through the smoke.

The driver of the No. 1 finished 36th and slid one more slot to 28th in the points standings.

4. Tribute Paint Scheme Didn't Help

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a spiffy Mountain Dew paint job on his No. 88 to pay tribute to Darrell Waltrip and his upcoming induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately, the Hendrick Motorsports car never got much attention. Junior didn't run better than mid-pack, except when the cars cycled through pit stops.

Earnhardt Jr. started 29th and finished 30th after his left front tire blew and tore up the fender immediately after he had left his pit box with just right side tires being changed.

He dropped one more slot to eighth place in the points, and the winless streak hit 111. Gosh, it seems like yesterday we wondered if he would hit that triple-digit figure of 100 races without a win.

5. The Champ Has a Weak Spot

Jimmie Johnson ran the best of any Hendrick Motorsports driver in his Lowe's No. 48 Chevrolet. He was able to get a third-place finish and moved from sixth to fifth in the point standings.

His team continued to be plagued by problems with the pit stops, and it was a wonder he was able to finish as well as he did.

The five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion is fighting to get his sixth, but the stumbles with his ever- changing new pit crew may be the weak link that ends up costing him during the Chase.

They have hired superb athletes to service the No. 48, but they haven't learned the mechanics of the pit stop ritual because of lack of experience.

6. Penske Power

Since the Kurt Busch rant shook up personnel at Penske Racing, the driver of the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Dodge has been a serious contender for wins and likely for the 2011 title.

Busch battled with leaders and ran up front, leading 41 laps, but faded to a ninth-place finish in the Quaker State 400. He remains fourth in the point standings.

Brad Keselowski ran up front much of the race in his Blue Deuce and led 79 laps, proving Penske power is the real deal. He finished in seventh place at Kentucky.

Keselowski has one win and moved up one slot to 21st, remaining just outside the critical top 20 for wild-card eligibility in the Chase.

If the driver of the No. 2 Dodge continues his performance during the next eight races, a win may indeed move him up in points and secure that wild-card position.

7. Like It or Not, Kyle Busch Is Good

Winning an inaugural race etches your name in history, forever to be associated with that track. Kyle Busch won the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kentucky Speedway.

He did what he had to do by running off with as much as an eight-second lead. He stayed out of harm's way and led 125 laps in the Quaker State 400.

He had the perfect package with a strong car, great pit stops and, of course, his talent as a driver. This was the 99th NASCAR National (Cup, Nationwide, Truck) series win for the young driver.

Sure, one can argue he picks and chooses his races in the different series and races a lot, but given his age, 26, and accomplishments, his future looks to be impressive in the stats department.

Busch now has 22 Cup wins to his credit. Though fans find this driver to be someone they love to hate, it is a bit befuddling that so many find it difficult to respect him as a very talented NASCAR driver.

Busch and his Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 now lead the point standings, and with three wins this season, he looks to be a serious contender to knock Jimmie Johnson off his throne.