Montoya is fourth in the points, 239 out of first."Ironically, in a gas shortage situation," Montoya said, "I actually wish I was eating a taco. I guess Bob Griese really is an astute announcer, and obviously ahead of his time." 5. Kasey Kahne Kahne finished second in the Amp Energy 500, avoiding the accidents that cost him in the other three restrictor plate races this year. Kane moved up two spots in the Sprint Cup point standings to ninth and trails Jimmie Johnson by 414."Talladega races are interesting for the crashes," Kahne said, "and very little else. The race went smoothly until the end, then all hell broke loose I was lucky to avoid those two big crashes. Usually, when I see two 'big ones,' I like to put myself right in the middle of them." 6. Kurt Busch Busch survived an eventful day at Talladega that saw his beaten and battered No 2 Miller Lite Chevy come home in 30th. 
And I thought Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman was the most volatile set of teammates ever at Penske." 7. Denny Hamlin Hamlin led 11 early laps at Talladega, but an expired engine on lap 138 ended his day early, sending him to the garage with a 38th-place finish. Hamlin fell two spots to 11th in the points, 448 out of first."Only in NASCAR can a rule change be implemented on the day of the race," Hamlin said. "I guess NASCAR felt the need to take action for whatever reason, and they certainly succeeded, because the took all the action out of Sunday's race." 8 Tony Stewart On lap 183, Stewart's No.

14 Chevrolet was sent into the wall, clipped by teammate Ryan Newman's No 39, which was hit by the car of Marcos Ambrose. Stewart's day ended unspectacularly, while Newman faced just the opposite, going airborne and tumbling through the infield grass.Stewart finished 35th, suffering his first DNF of the season, and now is 279 out of first in the point standings."Indeed, I was having trouble staying awake during the race," Stewart said. "I told Ryan Newman to wake me when it's over, and he did, with flying colors. But it's not surprising that a race that was a 'sleeper' was won by a sleeper." 9. Carl Edwards Edwards led two laps and finished 14th at Talladega, avoiding the two late wrecks that littered the track and scrambled several fuel strategies. Edwards is now tenth in the point standings, 437 behind Jimmie Johnson."Hey, congratulations are in order for Jamie McMurray," Edwards said "Ironically, his No.