Jeff Gordon complemented his pit crew for solid work all day Sunday. Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Sunoco Pit Move: Talladega

Pit Story of the Race

Pit strategy wasn't very important on Sunday at Talladega.

Unlike last fall, there was not much going on in the pits, even with the rash of late cautions. Almost everyone took two tires on the final stop, and that was all she wrote.

	Credit: Autostock
	Results Aaron's 499 Pos. Driver Make 1. Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 2. Tony Stewart Chevrolet 3. Michael Waltrip Chevrolet 4. Jeremy Mayfield Dodge 5. Jamie McMurray Dodge Complete results, click here Driver standings, click here Sunoco Pit MoveBurton's jackman gets injured and Gordon has a quick stop Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

Because the tires do not fall off much, many teams ran the race with fuel-only and two-tire stops.

Kevin Harvick actually took four on the final stop, He restarted 11th and was working his way through the field when he was caught up in the Lap 186 crash.

Strong day in the 24 pits

Jeff Gordon sang the praises of his motor after he led 139 laps on Sunday, but also had major help in the pits.

Gordon's pit stops were flawless all day, and he acknowledged it on the radio, giving a simple "good job, guys" after each one.

Gordon was the first man off pit road during the final round of stops on Lap 167.

He had a problem with his right front tire on Lap 103, but Gordon was able to make it to his stall without much damage.

Late caution lessens pressure on crews

The final round of stops occurred after a debris caution was thrown on Lap 165, and the field was only five laps from having to make a pressure-packed green-flag stop.

Burton's jackman hit

There have been a lot of close calls but no serious injuries on pit road this year, but that changed on Sunday when Jeff Burton's jackman was hit on Sunday.

Veteran jackman Josh Yost was nicked by Rusty Wallace during the round of pit stops on Lap 117, and the impact tore ligaments in Yost's right ankle.

Burton and Wallace had a brief and low-volume meeting in the garage after the race. Yost flew home with his Richard Childress Racing teammates and will see an orthopedist on Monday.

Quotable

"I got caught speeding going out of the pits. I'm not sure how that happens whenever you're following a car and you're right on his bumper, but, anyway, I guess they know." - Dale Jarrett, who was caught speeding twice on Sunday.