Asterisk Mark Report – Talladega

Kurt Busch – Last fall at Talladega, nobody was better than Kurt Busch but he finished an asterisk mark 14th. In the race he led 108 laps, won Stage #1, finished 3rd in Stage #2, and was the leader on the final lap until he sputtered on fuel which led to his misleading result. If the end of the race would’ve stayed green I think he would’ve won, and at worst finish in the top 4. In 4 of the 5 Talladega races prior to that he finished in the top 8.

Kevin Harvick – Kevin Harvick had a great car last fall at Talladega but he finished a misleading 28th. As the race was going back to green following the final caution he was coming to pit road for a splash of fuel which led to his poor result. In the race he finished 3rd in Stage #1, won Stage #2, led 46 laps and was running in 3rd right before he pitted late. If the end of the race would’ve stayed green he was a lock for a top 4 result.

Ryan Blaney – Ryan Blaney had a strong showing last fall at Talladega, but he finished a misleading 29th. At the end of the race there was a late caution and he was forced to come to pit road for fuel. With 6 laps to go before it came out he was running in 5th, which was the highest of the non-Stewart Haas Racing entries. From the race it should be noted he finished 6th in Stage #1, 6th in Stage #2 and had a 9th place average running position.