But drivers avoided the 15-20-car mayhem that often accompanies races at NASCAR’s biggest track, and that result was due as much to luck as skill. One wrong move can ignite massive crashes at Talladega and Daytona, and the flaming matches needed for that result simply weren’t present Sunday.

The NASCAR Cup Series returns from a week's break to the madhouse known as Talladega Superspeedway for the Jack Link's 500 race on April 27. Talladega is a great opportunity for a midpack team to win and shake up the playoff chase before it comes into focus.