Winners and Losers: Amp Energy 500

If you are a fan of NASCAR in any way, Talladega is the two races you circle every year. This is the only true wildcard in NASCAR. You could be leading and wreck, you could be riding in the back of the pack and wreck. Either way not one of the 43 drivers on the track have any control in what the guy in front, behind, or to the side of you does.

Check out the winners and losers of the AMP Energy 500.

Winners

Jamie McMurray

In what is somewhat of a shocker, Jamie McMurray survived the late race carnage to win his second career race on Sunday afternoon. It was very impressive actually, McMurray was really there all day long, but you would have never known it.

When it mattered most he was able to conserve just enough fuel and avoid the troubles that ruined so many teams day. McMurray worked his back to the front after dropping back mid race. When it mattered most he was able to get up front.

McMurray is without a ride after Homestead and has yet to announce where he will go. That being said McMurray should have won a few races between now and his last win in 2007. Bad luck, mechanical issues have cost them those wins.

Seeing McMurray in victory lane was great, and refreshing in a sport dominated by certain drivers.

Points: 22nd

Michael Waltrip

We know Michael Waltrip can drive the wheels off a car, literally at times. When it comes to restrictor plate racing, Waltrip is considered one of the best on these tracks. He showed that on Sunday.

Waltrip quickly used the draft to his advantage and moved forward, he was in the Top 10 early and stayed there throughout the race. He really was able to work well with multiple drivers, and move his way from the front to the back.

Waltrip finished an impressive seventh on Sunday.

Waltrip is retiring from full time racing in three races, would have been cool to see him win as a thank you to his sponsors and his team. It was still a great job by Waltrip and his team on Sunday.

Points: 33rd

Bobby Labonte

In case you missed it Bobby Labonte finished 10th on Sunday. Labonte name was hardly mentioned throughout the race. He ran a smart race, and avoided both big wrecks.

Labonte was driving the No. 71 with the rainout for qualifying, and was starting deep in the pack. They had to work their way to the front. Labonte was able to work his through the draft. This team had great pit stops and did exactly what they needed to do.

Labonte has yet to announce his plans for 2010. Labonte should be in a ride for 2010; just a poor economy is dictating where he will end up.

I have talked to Labonte and he is a great ambassador for this sport, except he doesn’t get the recognition he is due.

Points: 30th

Losers

Paul Menard

Paul Menard who left Dale Earnhardt Incorporated last year to drive for Yates Racing in 2009, carries his families sponsorship with him. Menards has run well at Talladega in recent years. Today was not meant to be.

Menard had pulled to the back to just ride around for a while and avoid getting caught up in someone else’s wreck. Instead a tire going down sent him into Joe Nemechek and ended their day only five laps into the race.

Menards is merging with Richard Petty Motorsports and along comes his sponsorship. Menards was hoping to steal a win at Talladega, instead he finished 42nd.

Menards has one thing many drivers will be looking for. and that is sponsorship, and that will guarantee him a ride.

Points: 32nd

AJ Allmendinger

AJ Allmendinger has had a tough few days and much of his own making. After getting pulled over and charged with DWI on Thursday night. Then Friday was placed on probation by both NASCAR and his organization.

Allmendinger probably could not wait to get in the race car.

Well I bet he is wishing he was leaving Talladega all together. This team struggled from the very beginning. They had tires issues that had them a lap and never really able to stay in contention. They were two laps down when Denny Hamlin engine blew late.

Never able to get all his laps back he finished 33rd.

Allmendinger was the subject of debate all weekend long, but there was no debate Sunday was a major disappointment.

Points: 26th

Kurt Busch

On Sunday we heard from some teams that Sunday one of the guys to watch was Kurt Busch. The race started off good for this team as they led laps early.

Then contact sent them spinning as green flag pit stops were going on. They fell down two laps, but were able to work on the car and then catch a break and get the lucky dog.

With laps winding down he found himself sitting in the Top 20 and getting ready to make his move. An impressive rebound for this team, Busch was vocally frustrated with how his day had been going, but this team rallied and rebounded.

He was running in the Top 10 when he got tagged from behind and spun in front of the field. He finished 30th.

Busch has to be happy with how this team rallied and at least got him back into contention, not  so happy that he got wrecked late again.

Points: 6th

Lucky Dog…

Jimmie Johnson

All week long everyone was wondering how Jimmie Johnson would approach this race. They had a game plan and they stuck to it, they ran in the back all day long, and he was able to capitalize on other driver's misfortunes.

They finished sixth on Sunday without ever leading a lap, and expanded their points lead over Mark Martin. They avoided both big wrecks and kept their car in one piece. They did exactly what they were supposed to do.

Johnson has all but wrapped up this championship, and barring any mechanical issues, at the checkered flag in Homestead this team will be making history.

Points: First

Final Lap…

First off what a job by NASCAR and its safety crews, they worked fast to get Ryan Newman out of his destroyed race car. He took a vicious ride and the fact that he walked away from this is testament to how far NASCAR has come in its safety.

NASCAR does not always get it right with some things, but they did a good job in getting to Newman quickly and turning his car over. It’s not an easy job and they were under a lot of pressure and got the job done.

NASCAR's last minute rule change during the drivers meeting threw some drivers for a loop on how they would race on Sunday. The new rules essentially limited the teams to bump drafting on the straightaway.

Some drivers were vocally upset about the changes, others just went out there and drove, knowing there was nothing they could do about it.

NASCAR was trying to prevent another April finish, and a two car break away. By doing that they policed most of the action throughout the days and drivers were hesitant not to make mistake and get penalized.

NASCAR did what they thought was for the safety of the drivers.

Johnson expanded his points lead over Martin and Jeff Gordon, and unless he has multiple DNF’s in the final races the battle is on for second on back.

Next up is Texas for the Sprint Cup drivers.

Note: NASCAR was revising the running order for the end of the race. They will post official results on Monday.