Cars race through the tri-oval at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers were preparing for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Drivers Jeff Gordon, left, and Kasey Kahne confer in the garage area of the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers were preparing for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Jamie McMurray (1) and Greg Biffle (16) lead a pack of cars through the tri-oval at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers were preparing for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Driver Jimmie Johnson sits in his car as he waits for practice to begin for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger talks with fans in the garage area at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. Drivers were preparing for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Driver Brad Keselowki prepares to climb in his car in the garage area at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers are preparing for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Driver Tony Stewart sits in his car as he waits for practice to begin for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Driver Brad Keselowki puts on his racing shoes prior to practice at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers are preparing for Sunday's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Driver Jimmie Johnson sits in his car as he waits for practice to begin at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers are preparing for Sunday's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin sits in the Grand National Garage at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers are preparing for Sunday's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart signs autographs for fans at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers are preparing for Sunday's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer stands next to his car during practice at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers are preparing for Sunday's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, center, stands in the Grand National Garage at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers are preparing for Sunday's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., watches as crew members work on his car in the garage at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers are preparing for Sunday's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Carl Edwards signs autographs for fans at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers are preparing for Sunday's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Brad Keselowki gestures to photographers as he prepares to climb in his car in the garage area at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers are preparing for Sunday's running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

The car of NASCAR driver Sam Hornish Jr., is pushed through the garage area at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. The drivers are preparing for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Driver Brad Keselowski arrives on pit road at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., signs autographs on pit road at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The Sprint Cup drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick signs autographs for fans prior to qualifying at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski arrives on pit road at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson climbs out of his car following his qualifying attempt at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne adjusts his racing suit after his qualifying attempt at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., wipes his brow after qualifying at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne climbs out of his car after his qualifying attempt at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Kahne took to the pole with a speed of 191.455 mph. for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Ryan Newman is all smiles after his qualifying attempt at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne stands next to his car after his qualifying attempt at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Kahne took to the pole with a speed of 191.455 mph. for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne climbs out of his car after his qualifying attempt at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Kahne took to the pole with a speed of 191.455 mph. (AP Photo/Dan Lighton)

Michael Waltrip signs autographs for fans at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, left, talks with Kevin Harvick prior to their qualifying runs at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

NASCAR driver Joey Logano walks down pit road at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Car owner Jack Roush walks down pit road at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The Sprint Cup drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon fights his way through a sea of hats held by autograph seekers as he walks to pit road at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

NASCAR driver Brad Kesolowski is hounded by autograph seekers as he walks down pit road at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch stands next to his car following his qualifying attempt at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

NASCAR fan Jamie "Canhead" Keeton of Chicago, looks at his phone while watching the action on pit road at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch walks down pit road at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. The drivers were qualifying for the Sunday running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Kasey Kahne (5) leads the field to the start during the Good Sam Club 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Cole Whitt (33) slides to the bottom of the track as Sam Hornish Jr. (22), Landon Cassill (83), Joey Logano (20) and Dave Blaney (36) try to avoid crashing on lap 16 of the Good Sam Club 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Dale Davis)

Michael Waltrip prepares to get in his car before the Good Sam Club 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Trevor Bayne waves to fans before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Brad Keselowski (2) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) race through the tri-oval during the Good Sam Club 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Ryan Newman carries his daughter, Ashlyn, on his shoulders before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

A pack of cars race through the tri-oval during the NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Brad Keselowski's crew works to service his car during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Tony Stewart's crew works to service his car during the NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Denny Hamlin's crew works to service his car during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Greg Biffle's crew works to service his car during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Kurt Busch (51) drives away from safety crew after wrecking during the NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Greg McWilliams)

Matt Kenseth celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Tony Stewart (14) flips over as Kasey Kahne (5), Clint Bowyer (15), Dave Blaney (36), Terry Labonte (32), Regan Smith (78), Jeff Burton (31), Jimmie Johnson (48), crash around him during the NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. Also involved in the wreck were Paul Menard (27), Casey Mears (13), Aric Almirola (43), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88), David Ragan (34) and Sam Hornish Jr. (22). (AP Photo/Dale Davis)

Tony Stewart (14) flips over as Kasey Kahne (5), Clint Bowyer (15), Dave Blaney (36), Terry Labonte (32), Regan Smith (78), Jeff Burton (31), Jimmie Johnson (48), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88), Paul Menard (27) and David Ragan (34) crash around him during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Dale Davis)

Tony Stewart (14) flips over as Kasey Kahne (5), Clint Bowyer (15), Terry Labonte (32), Regan Smith (78), Jeff Burton (31), Jimmie Johnson (48), Dale Earnhardt Jr., (88) Paul Menard (27) and David Ragan (34) crash around him during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Dale Davis)

Matt Kenseth celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Flames engulf Bobby Labonte's car as David Gilliland (38) passes after wrecking on the last lap of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Jamie McMurray (1) kicks up dirt as he spins while Jeff Gordon (24), Kevin Harvick (29) and Dale Earnhardt Jr., (88) avoid damage during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Tony Stewart (14) flips over as Clint Bowyer (15), Regan Smith (78), Jeff Burton (31), Jimmie Johnson (48), Casey Mears (13), Aric Almirola (43), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) and David Ragan (34) crash around him during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Dale Davis)

Flames engulf Bobby Labonte's car after wrecking on the last lap of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Tony Stewart (14) and Matt Kenseth (17) lead the pack during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Matt Kenseth waves to his family before getting out of his car in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Jimmie Johnson stands in pit road after catching a ride with teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. after wrecking on the last lap of the NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Dan Lighton)

Dale Earnhardt Jr., (88) gives Jimmie Johnson a ride back to the pits after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Tom Pennington, Pool)

Dale Earnhardt Jr., (88) gives Jimmie Johnson a ride back to the pits after the NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Tom Pennington, Pool)

Tony Stewart (14) flips over as Clint Bowyer (15), Regan Smith (78), Jeff Burton (31), Jimmie Johnson (48), Casey Mears (13), Aric Almirola (43), Dale Earnhardt Jr., (88) and Sam Hornish Jr. (22) crash around him during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Greg McWilliams)

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2012, file photo, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon stands in the Grand National Garage of the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. Gordon is slowly climbing back into the championship race. But digging out of his deep hole has not been easy, and three consecutive top-three finishes still have only gotten him to sixth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup standings. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)