Those 12 Chase for the Nextel Cup drivers are thinking about the dangers that await them at Talladega Superspeedway next weekend.
"I see a real risky situation at Talladega," defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson said earlier this week. "I think everybody is talking about that right now. Everybody will take a nice, deep breath once Talladega is over and start again."
Race No. 3 of the Chase is this weekend at Kansas. Talladega hosts the fourth Chase race Oct. 7.
NASCAR teams will race the Car of Tomorrow at Talladega, the stock car's first outing on an oval track longer than a mile. There is so much concern about this event that the sanctioning body held a two-day, COT test at Talladega. Attendance was mandatory.
Johnson said the draft effect felt much different in the COT than cars used in previous seasons.
The major differences between the "car of today" and the COT are the front bumper, which is fitted with a "splitter," and a rear wing instead of spoiler. Johnson said the COT is more stable which could lead to risky behavior behind the wheel.
"You can push and bump-draft even harder than what we're used to in dealing with the old car," Johnson said. "But you can't pull out and pass them. You can't get away from anybody; even more so than what we had before.
"So I think it's going to be challenging and risky and dangerous. You're going to have guys that have a ton of grip in the car, be very comfortable, change lanes from top to bottom -- wherever they want to go. You're going to see a lot of risks, a lot of chances being taken throughout the race."
Johnson knows far too well the dangers that can spring from the 2.66-mile tri-oval, which is shaped like Daytona but is bigger and faster.
In the fall race at Talladega last year, Johnson was running second exiting Turn 4. As he attempted to pass Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the win, Johnson tangled with Brian Vickers. Johnson and Earnhardt crashed sending Vickers to victory.
Johnson finished 24th and dropped to eighth in the Chase standings. He rallied for the championship thanks to five consecutive top two finishes.
Ever the optimist, Johnson said everyone has to deal with the terrors of this Talladega.
"I don't feel like the ball is being changed in the World Series," Johnson said, quickly adding, "it's just going to be hairy."
"I see a real risky situation at Talladega," defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson said earlier this week. "I think everybody is talking about that right now. Everybody will take a nice, deep breath once Talladega is over and start again."
Race No. 3 of the Chase is this weekend at Kansas. Talladega hosts the fourth Chase race Oct. 7.
NASCAR teams will race the Car of Tomorrow at Talladega, the stock car's first outing on an oval track longer than a mile. There is so much concern about this event that the sanctioning body held a two-day, COT test at Talladega. Attendance was mandatory.
Johnson said the draft effect felt much different in the COT than cars used in previous seasons.
The major differences between the "car of today" and the COT are the front bumper, which is fitted with a "splitter," and a rear wing instead of spoiler. Johnson said the COT is more stable which could lead to risky behavior behind the wheel.
"You can push and bump-draft even harder than what we're used to in dealing with the old car," Johnson said. "But you can't pull out and pass them. You can't get away from anybody; even more so than what we had before.
"So I think it's going to be challenging and risky and dangerous. You're going to have guys that have a ton of grip in the car, be very comfortable, change lanes from top to bottom -- wherever they want to go. You're going to see a lot of risks, a lot of chances being taken throughout the race."
Johnson knows far too well the dangers that can spring from the 2.66-mile tri-oval, which is shaped like Daytona but is bigger and faster.
In the fall race at Talladega last year, Johnson was running second exiting Turn 4. As he attempted to pass Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the win, Johnson tangled with Brian Vickers. Johnson and Earnhardt crashed sending Vickers to victory.
Johnson finished 24th and dropped to eighth in the Chase standings. He rallied for the championship thanks to five consecutive top two finishes.
Ever the optimist, Johnson said everyone has to deal with the terrors of this Talladega.
"I don't feel like the ball is being changed in the World Series," Johnson said, quickly adding, "it's just going to be hairy."
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