Three years ago, Brad Keselowski stunned the NASCAR world by taking James Finch's Chevrolet to victory lane in the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Sunday, he became the first Dodge driver since Dave Marcis in 1976 to win at NASCAR's biggest track, pulling away from Kyle Busch as they raced out of the final turn and hanging on to score his second win of the 2012 season and the sixth of his career.
Busch was third ahead of a dominant Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, and point leader Greg Biffle. The top-10 was rounded out by Clint Bowyer - in the University of Alabama car - Unadilla's David Ragan, Trevor Bayne, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jeff Burton.
A late accident caused on the next to last restart eliminated several contenders. Denny Hamlin moved to the inside of A.J. Allmendinger, who attempted to block even though Hamlin's Toyota was at his left rear corner. Predictably, that turned Allmendinger into Paul Menard, setting off a melee that ruined the hopes of victory those drivers and Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, and Michael Waltrip.
Keselowski is the first driver since Tony Stewart in October 2008 to lead into the tri-oval under green-flag conditions and hold on for the win at Talladega. It is also the first win ever for legendary car owner Roger Penske at Talladega.