Gordon wins at Talladega

The controversy began with the last of 10 cautions, which came out just as Earnhardt began a pass attempt with four laps to go, for a collision involving rookie Brian Vickers and Casey Mears. The field was frozen in Gordon's favour according to NASCAR rules, but Earnhardt thought he had actually taken the lead by that point. The partisan crowd agreed, littering the track with beer cans.

It was Gordon's first victory of the season and although the timing of the caution proved fortuitous, it's worth remembering that the former champion's race last week was ruined when he ran into a loose piece of track, while fighting for the lead, that damaged his car and forced him to fight back through the pack.

Gordon's Hendrick Motorsports team-mate Jimmie Johnson finished third ahead of a squabbling leading pack that rarely numbered less than 20. At the finish, 27 cars were running on the leading lap and there were 52 lead changes.

Former champion Tony Stewart came under fire from his rivals after tapping Kurt Busch into a spin on lap 84, causing a massive 10-car pile-up.

Reigning champion Matt Kenseth was one of three drivers to suffer an engine failure. An early season Nextel Cup points leader, Kenseth drops to fifth behind Earnhardt Jr, Johnson, Gordon and Busch.