TALLADEGA, Ala. -- There are some drivers who love restrictor plate racing at Talladega: Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. for starters.

Although Carl Edwards seemingly doesn't share their affinity for the so-called wild card traits and potentially devastating results the superspeedway can produce; not a driver that is deep in the hunt for his first Sprint Cup championship anyway.

In fact, he'd be willing to pay a $1 million just to leave the race Sunday with a 10th-place finish.

“

It's the biggest wild card race and honestly I've been stressed about it a little this week. Yesterday I was talking to my dad a little bit and he reminded me to just have a good time and whatever happens, happens.

”

-- CARL EDWARDS

"I might pay more," Edwards said, referring to the value of a good finish at a track where the proverbial drafting game can have a driver running up front and then stuck in the middle of the back within just a few laps. "It's the biggest wild card race and honestly I've been stressed about it a little this week. Yesterday I was talking to my dad a little bit and he reminded me to just have a good time and whatever happens, happens. I'm going to try to enjoy it no matter what."

One might say enjoying Talladega would be difficult for a driver whose average finish in five seasons is 24. Both spring Talladega races, Edwards finished 40th and 42nd and he's led just nine laps. Sunday could offer hope though as Edwards, who is 10 points behind Chase leader Jimmie Johnson, qualified 12th for Sunday's Amp Energy 500.

"Your past performances here don't really mean much. A guy can win this thing that has never even finished in the top 20," Edwards said. "You know the biggest thing is avoiding a wreck."

Staying out of trouble will be the key for all Chase drivers -- even the draft masters and restrictor plate kings like Junior and Gordon.

"It doesn't matter how good you're car is, doesn't matter how good a plate racer you are. And with the [new car] it just matters who makes the right move at the last minute. It's about the most level playing field when it comes to Talladega," Earnhardt said.

Not even qualifying matters much, he added.

"You go to 20th to first in three laps so I don't think it matters. You just qualify and try to get a good pit selection ... good pit selection not track position," Earnhardt said.

You can plan a strategy but it's often unraveled at the hands of other drivers, cautions, and pit stops. Edwards said he will try to stay up front for as long as possible. As he sees it, the results on Sunday will be determined by luck.

"My car is pretty fast so I'm going to race," Edwards said. "You never know what's going to happen. We can go out and win this thing and that would be great, but just as easily we could have some sort of trouble and not do well. There are more chances involved in this race than probably any other on the schedule."