Jimmie Johnson leads the Nextel Cup Series point standings. Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

Notes: No feud between Johnson, Stewart

A week after incident at Phoenix, both say all's well

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- After their second on-track clash of the year, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson both were quick to point out that's there no feud.

	Tony Stewart is 14th in the Cup standings heading to Talladega. Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
	Race RewindWatch a condensed version of the Subway Fresh 500 from Phoenix Big wreckJohnson spins Stewart, starts a five-car wreck Forgive and forgetJohnson says he's patched things up with Tony Stewart Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

Johnson got into Stewart during last weekend's Subway Fresh 500 at Phoenix, setting off a five- car crash that sent Stewart to a 33rd-place finish.

The pair also bumped during the closing laps of the season-opening Daytona 500. Despite the incidents, Johnson says he remains close with Stewart.

"Tony and I are great friends and always will be,' said Johnson. "What you're seeing is just hard racing. It's been, in a way, funny for me, all the press on the incidents that I've had, especially last weekend."

Both drivers made angry comments immediately after the race, and Johnson says he got caught up in the heat of the moment.

"It's just natural that after events, everyone's emotions are high," Johnson said.

"Things are said and when microphones are in your face immediately and your emotions come through."

It's a contract year for Michael Waltrip, but don't ask Dale Earnhardt Jr. if Waltrip will be back at DEI in 2006.

"I don't know what the plan is and what they want to do and what Michael wants to do," Earnhardt Jr. said. "We have not been talking about it at all. We'll just have to wait and see."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has five Cup victories at Talladega Superspeedway. Credit: Autostock

Waltrip finished a close second to Kurt Busch last weekend at Phoenix and is in the middle of an outstanding streak.

After a slow start, Waltrip has scored three top-10s in the last five races and is up to 18th in points. He was 35th after the season's third race.

Earnhardt Jr. says he isn't surprised that Waltrip is running well.

"That is the team that I won six races with last year, and they are better and improved the cars a lot," Earnhardt Jr. said. "It's good to see Michael be able to drive to his potential."

Boris Said qualified 12th in his first try at Talladega's high banks, but he says his team makes it easy.

Aaron's 499 Starting Lineup Driver Make Speed 1. K. Harvick Chevy 189.804 2. J. Gordon Chevy 188.988 3. E. Sadler Ford 188.548 4. S. Riggs Chevy 188.474 5. R. Newman Dodge 188.237 Complete race lineup

His teammate Scott Riggs qualified fourth, and MB2 Motorsports' restrictor-plate package has been among the strongest in the garage.

"It's hard to explain to some people that, you know, a chimp can fly a rocket," Said said. "When you're in a really good car here, it's not that hard. You could probably run my car as fast as I did."

Elliott Sadler turned 30 on Saturday, and his big day didn't get off to a good start.

Elliott Sadler has four top-10 finishes this season. Credit: Autostock

Massive thunderstorms shook the infield at Talladega Superspeedway early on Saturday. Sadler has joked in the past that he does not like medical needles, and he is not fond of thunderstorms, either.

"That was crazy. It definitely woke me up," said Sadler. "I'm a pretty light sleeper anyway and I couldn't believe all the steady flashing of lightning and the thunder.

"It was definitely a night to just kind of sit up and wait until it passed over."