Lap-by-Lap: Talladega (cont'd)

Lap 4 -- LEAD CHANGE: Michael Waltrip brings the outside lane to the front and is out front again.

Lap 3 -- LEAD CHANGE: Brian Vickers jumps out front and leads the third lap.

Lap 2 -- LEAD CHANGE: Bobby Labonte makes it three wide at the line and leads the second lap.

Lap 1 -- LEAD CHANGE: Dave Blaney inches ahead of Michael Waltrip to lead the first lap and collect five bonus points.

2:21 p.m. -- GREEN FLAG: Michael Waltrip brings the field to the green and the UAW-Ford 500 is under way.

2:13 p.m. -- The cars are rolling off pit road and on the track.

2:11 p.m. -- Two cars are going to the rear at the start. Casey Mears for making adjustments and Jamie McMurray for an engine change.

2:08 p.m. -- Grand Marshal Dave Sparks gives the command: "Gentlemen, start your engines."

2:02 p.m. -- Miss University of Alabama Stephanie Shelton performs the national anthem.

2:01 p.m. -- Frank Stark delivers the Invocation.

2 p.m. -- There is a moment of silence at the track for Bill France Jr.

1 p.m. -- NASCAR Countdown has started on ABC.

12:54 p.m. -- We are less than two hours away from the green flag flying at Talladega Superspeedway for the UAW-Ford 500. The weather is gorgeous in Alabama, sunny skies with a few clouds. Michael Waltrip is on the pole and the green is scheduled to drop at 2:20 p.m. ET.

TALLADEGA HEADLINES
Caraviello: Line between racing and spectacle blurred at 'Dega
Chasers will have to charge toward front at Talladega
Gilmore, VP of competition for DEI, suffers aneurysm
Drivers who had to qualify left mark on race lineup
Jarrett knows his future, world will learn Thursday
Drivers feel COT may lead to more accidents at 'Dega
Import Villeneuve hopes to silence critics at Talladega
Knaus says competition stiff, refutes favorite's role
Alabama racing isn't what it used be, says the Gang
Rear wing on COT creating vision issues for drivers
Franchitti fitting in at track one pant leg at a time
COTs ready, Chase drivers brace for 'Dega unknowns