Michael Waltrip was among the several drivers who slipped on Charlotte's slick surface. Credit: Autostock

Drivers have tough time handling hard LMS tires

Cup race calmer than chaotic Busch event, but had all the makings

CONCORD, N.C. -- After the first lap of Saturday night's Bank of America 500, there was a tangible sense of déjà vu.

Kasey Kahne won his series-high sixth race of the season. Credit: Autostock

Bank of America 500 Official Results Pos. Driver Make 1. Kasey Kahne Dodge 2. Jimmie Johnson Chevy 3. Jeff Burton Chevy 4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevy 5. Bobby Labonte Dodge 6. Kyle Busch Chevy 7. Tony Raines Chevy 8. Carl Edwards Ford 9. Joe Nemechek Chevy 10. Brian Vickers Chevy • Complete results, click here • Official standings, click here Victory LaneKasey Kahne celebrates his Bank of America 500 victory Top finishersBurton, Johnson and Kenseth talk about their night Hard HitYeley clips Martin sending him full speed into the wall Early cautionDenny Hamlin involved in big wreck first lap of the race Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Friday night's Dollar General 300 for the Busch Series started in much the same way, with a big crash early that led to more as the evening progressed. There was a feeling that Saturday's night's big show had the makings of another crash-laden marathon.

It didn't happen, but like the ghost in the closet, the specter of it was always present.

Both Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Burton, the second- and third-place finishers, respectively, said upon exiting their cars at the end of the race that it was tough to get into any kind of a rhythm because of the hard-compound tires and the smaller, 13.8-gallon fuel cells mandated for Saturday's race.

"When you're used to racing a certain way and they change it, it's hard to get in a rhythm," Burton said. "I'd rather pit every 35 laps and have a tire that's too hard than blow out right-fronts, because I'm too old to hit anymore.

"I'll take [Saturday's] race and May's race over last year's races any day, any day."

While the tires played some part in Friday night's bizarre Busch Series crash-a-thon, the cool weather had at least as much to do with it. Friday night was cooler than Saturday, by several degrees, which made grip that much harder to come by.

But when the track was warmer and the racing at its hottest, Burton said there wasn't a need for more grip.

"We don't want more grip," he said. "[Friday night's] Busch race was like unbelievable how fast you were going. [Saturday] ... we don't need more grip."

The first lap of the race sure could have used some of it.

Robby Gordon wiggled off Turn 4, then made contact with another car and the crashing commenced. As many as 14 drivers were involved, four of which also ran in Friday's Busch race.

McMurray, who also crashed Friday night, thought the race was going to be a replay of Friday.

"It seemed like it would be a repeat of the Busch race, which is pretty crazy," he said. "It seemed like the track had a little more grip for us, or at least the balance got a little bit tight.

"It's just so hard to race side-by-side right now with the tires as hard as they are and when guys are running outside, you've just got to hang on. I noticed a lot of guys were overly careful so they didn't get loose."

That didn't mean sections of the race didn't look like the first day of hockey practice at times. Cars were slipping and sliding in traffic all night long, the same as Friday night.

"We got a little loose off Turn 2," said David Gilliland after crashing on Lap 164. "A lot of people have been complaining about the same thing."

When all was said and done, the ghost stayed in the closet and the race finished in a much calmer fashion than did Friday's Busch Series event.