Drivers Irate After Terror at Talladega

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- It wasn't Junior but his junior, Brad Keselowski, who seemingly came out of no where to survive a wreck-filled, spectacular last-lap crash and win his first ever NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.

Keselowski, who drives full time for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the triple-A Nationwide Series, was behind Carl Edwards about 100 yards from the checkered flag. As Edwards tried to block Keselowski's final push to win, the cars collided, launching Edwards' Ford airborne, which flipped wildly in the air. His car bounced off the hood of Ryan Newman's car and then rolled, roof up, hard into the catch fence along the front grandstand.

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Edwards climbed out of the car and jogged to the finish line, jumping over it in a symbolic way to finish the race.

"I just want to tell my mom, I'm OK," Edwards told the television audience. "I'm very fortunate.

"NASCAR has put us in this box and we'll race like this until we kill someone and then they'll change it."

Keselowski motored on for his unlikely, maiden victory for the low budget team owned by Florida businessman James Finch. Earnhardt finished second -- his best effort of the season -- followed by Newman and rookies Marcos Ambrose and Scott Speed.

As soon as the race field cleared the finish line, a half dozen ambulances lined up on track and medical personnel went into the grandstands to treat any fans injured by the debris that came flying off Edwards' car.

The Speedway's medical director said eight fans suffered minor injuries such as bumps and bruises and perhaps a couple fractures. Two fans were airlifted to a local hospital, one with facial injuries and possibly a broken jaw, the other with a medical problem unrelated to the crash. They were airlifted because of heavy traffic -- not because the injuries were serious.

Edwards wasn't the only one with strong words.

Three-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson -- who was involved in a 10-car accident with 10 laps to go -- put it this way, "It sucks racing here."

Sunday's version of Talladega was typical of the close-quarter, ultra-fast races we've become accustomed to at the series' two restrictor plate tracks, Talladega and Daytona Beach. There were two huge multi-car accidents.

Terrifying Finish at Talladega

A push for victory takes a disastrous turn for Carl Edwards at Talladega Superspeedway. Contact from race winner Brad Keselowski on the final lap sends Edwards into a tailspin before he's lifted into the air by Ryan Newman (39). Click through to see more photos from Sunday's incredible race.

Rainier Ehrhardt, AP

Edwards' car went airborne and into the safety fence, scattering debris into the crowd and injuring multiple fans. "I'm glad the car didn't go up in the grandstands," he said. "I don't know if I could live with myself if I ended up in the grandstands."

Glenn Smith, AP

After landing back down on the track, Edwards had to climb out of his car as it sparked flames. "I just want to tell my mom, I'm OK," Edwards told the television audience. "I'm very fortunate."

Christian Petersen, Getty Image

Edwards was quick to put some blame on NASCAR's use of restrictor plates to combat the high speed of the two fastest tracks -- Talladega and Daytona. The plates keep cars packed together, and all it takes is one wrong move to trigger "The Big One," a nickname for the recurring pileups.

Jerry Markland, Getty Images

As Edwards was derailed on the final lap, Keselowski surged into the lead to win a Sprint Cup Series race for the very first time. Keselowski felt sorry for the fans who were hurt, but wasn't about to make excuses for his maneuver. "Holding your line was the way to do it," said Keselowski.

Christian Petersen, Getty Images

"Either way, it was a great show, and I hope the fans had fun with it," said Keselowski, seen here celebrating in Victory Lane. Restrictor-plate races are both loved by fans for the thrills they provide and dreaded by drivers who fear for their safety.

Rusty Jarrett,, Getty Images

Edwards' stunning flight wasn't the only major crash during the Aaron's 499. On the seventh lap, a 13-car accident caused havoc for top drivers like Mark Martin, far left, Kevin Harvick (29) and points leader Jeff Gordon (24).

Dale Davis, AP

NASCAR issued a strong warning before the race, telling the drivers to avoid aggressive driving. But that didn't prevent the mayhem from taking over Talladega again. "You expect it," said Gordon. "You just hope to survive it."

Russell Norris, AP

Like Edwards, Jeremy Mayfield also had to leave his burning vehicle after a wreck Sunday. There were four major accidents between the Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide race over the weekend.

Dale Davis, AP

Edwards, who crossed the finish line on foot, said that drivers fear these type of races. "NASCAR has put us in this box and we'll race like this until we kill someone and then they'll change it."

Christian Petersen, Getty Image

The first one -- less than 15 minutes into the race -- was a 13-car affair that eliminated points leader Jeff Gordon from contention. Johnson was involved in the second large accident. On Saturday, Cup regular Matt Kenseth was involved in a fiery airborne accident in the Nationwide Series race.

"Cars don't need to go up in the air for sure," Earnhardt said. "But we've slowed the cars down and put air flaps on, now we're pack racing so much it's about all you can do, to not be in a wreck."

"I wish we could get away from each other a little bit. I wish it came down to handling. I wish it came down to power. Everybody has the same piece, in the equivalent of IROC cars at Talladega. That kind of racing is exciting as hell to watch, but I've wrecked two or three times in these."

Keselowski's Cinderella win may likely be overshadowed by the dramatic finish and torn-up sheet metal strewn around the Talladega garage.

"There's no such thing as an overreaction for safety," Newman said. "I'm sure NASCAR will spend some time looking over the video tapes and seeing what we can do to help the situation. It's just crazy."