Today at 2:00 p.m. ET on ESPN the NASCAR Chase for the Cup continues at Talladega where Brian Vickers will sit the pole for the Geico 500 in a race that can be live streamed free by clicking this link.
Vickers' pole victory wasn't without controversy, however, as many veteran drivers expressed anger at their confusion with Jeff Gordon calling for a return to single-car qualifying.
"Wow never been so frustrated & confused trying to qualify for a race. Not the way we intended to start the weekend," Gordon tweeted.
The confusion stemmed from NASCAR limiting the field for qualifying in the first round to 23 cars, giving them five minutes to run their lap. Many cars waited patiently on pit road in order to not be the first car on the track, and wound up letting the five minutes elapse without running.
Fellow NASCAR stalwart Jimmie Johnson was more understanding of the NASCAR format, while admitting he'd be frustrated if he traded places with a number of other competitors.
"There were a lot of strategies being put into use," Johnson said. "It's the toughest thing because 20-some guys and a lady have an idea of what is going to work, and timing that right and finding what works for you is impossible.
"Hopefully it is entertaining. You don't really feel like you are doing your part as a race car driver in a qualifying session like this, but it is plate racing and if it's entertaining I guess I'm OK with it."
The field will look different than most other races today as several regulars didn't qualify because of the qualifying snafus.
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