Racing action kicks off as pole sitter Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the No. 42 Tums Dual Action Chevrolet, starts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday in front of thousands of fans. (Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/GetTALLADEGA, ALA. -- Carl Edwards was heading for Victory Lane when a nudge from rookie Brad Keselowski sent him careening into the frontstretch retaining fence to end a wild and wooly Aaron's 499 Nascar Sprint Cup race here Sunday. Edwards ended up finishing 24th.

The last-lap wreck also took veteran Ryan Newman out of the race as well. Newman had tucked in behind Edwards and pushed him towards what appeared to be a sure-fire Edwards win before the bumping incident.

Keselowski went on down the track to win his first-ever Sprint Cup race with smoke and parts from Edwards' Ford filled the air.

It was a day of costly wrecks for many of NASCAR's biggest stars but Dale Earnhardt, Jr., brought his Hendrick Chevrolet home second behind the rookie winner.

By Joe Menzer, NASCAR.COM
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Eight race fans were injured on the final-lap wreck that sent the No. 99 Ford of driver Carl Edwards airborne into the catch-fence on the frontstretch at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.

The incident occurred at the conclusion of the Aaron's 499 race that was won by rookie driver Brad Keselowski.

Fans were treated for what were described as mostly minor injuries from flying debris, according to NASCAR official Jim Hunter and Dr. Bobby Lewis, medical director of the track. Neither Hunter nor Lewis could say with certainty whether the pieces of debris came from Edwards' car or from the fence, which suffered considerable damage after absorbing the high-speed impact.

"After the incident that occurred on the last lap, we are treating approximately eight patients for injuries received from flying debris," Lewis said. "The injuries appear to be minor and non-life threatening. One female patient is being transported by air, because of traffic, for further evaluation and treatment. Updates will be made as available."

David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 Discount Tire Ford, celebrates his first NASCAR national racing series win Saturday in Victory Lane after capturing the checkered flag at the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photo Credit:By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
TALLADEGA, Ala.— For David Ragan, his first victory in one of NASCAR’s top three touring series took a long time coming — 196 races combined.

When it came, there was a bittersweet aspect to the win.

In a wild scramble at the finish, Ragan beat polesitter Ryan Newman to the stripe to win Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, but the victory came at the expense of teammate Matt Kenseth, who barrel-rolled and slid on the roof of his No. 16 Ford after contact from Ragan’s No. 6 sent him out of control on Lap 105.

Friday Afternoon Race to Be Broadcast Live on SPEED

Tom Hessert, in the Jennifer Belmont-owned Buddy's Home Furnishings Ford, earned his career-first Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell Thursday afternoon at Talladega Superspeedway.

"It's awesome," said Hessert. "It's definitely the biggest thing I've done for my career as far as exposure. It's huge. Anytime you go to a place like Talladega, it's special when you can run up front.

"It was absolutely a perfect lap. We made some adjustments between practice and qualifying, and the thing really came to life. I knew it was going to be a good lap, but I didn't know it was going to be that good."

Hessert, who circled the 2.66-mile superspeedway in 51.321 seconds for an average speed 186.590 mph, will lead the field to green in Friday's ARCA RE/MAX 250 LIVE on SPEED at 5:00 PM ET.

"It makes it a lot easier (starting up front). Hopefully we can get the jump on the start and be leading from the get-go."

It was also the career first superspeedway pole award for Hessert's team Andy Belmont Racing.

Eddie Sharp Racing announced today that Full Force Archery, Inc. will sponsor the No. 20 Toyota Camry of Steve Arpin for the ARCA RE/MAX Series 250 at the Talladega Superspeedway, Friday, April 24, 2009.

We couldn't be more thrilled, said team owner Eddie Sharp. Joining forces with a brand like Full Force Archery, Inc. is great for the team and the entire sport.?

Having established a reputation for providing a hands-on, personal approach for drivers making a foray into stock car racing, ESR has also become the main attraction in the ARCA garage for sponsors looking to break into the sport. In 2008, ESR garnered the support of big brands such as Red Bull and Aaron's, fielding the No. 2 and No. 22 cars as championship contenders. Drivers Scott Speed and Ken Butler III both finished in top 10 driver points.

Arpin is excited about Full Force Archery, Inc. coming onboard the Eddie Sharp Racing No. 20 Toyota Camry, ?We are looking forward to starting a relationship w/ Full Force Archery, Inc. They are a relatively new company, with great people and new ideas, and it?s going to be cool to be apart of and grow with them.