Associated Press
TALLADEGA, Ala. ó Trevor Bayne has yukked it up with Ellen and chatted with the vice president.
One thing he hasnít done is come close to repeating his stunning win in the Daytona 500.
Talk about a reality check.
ěI wouldnít say Iím disappointed,î the 20-year-old Bayne said Saturday, having just crawled from his car after a strong qualifying run at Talladega Superspeedway. ěSure, the standard got raised for us a little bit when we won our second race in the Cup series and our first Daytona 500. But this year is normal for any new driver coming into a series.î
Indeed, since winning NASCARís Super Bowl, heís turned in a string of finishes that are more in line with someone of his age and experience.
Bayne hasnít finished higher than 17th in six races since Daytona, but this might be the week for another strong finish. Talladega is NASCARís other restrictor-plate track, leading to the same sort of tandem racing he adapted to so well in the season opener.
On Saturday, he was at it again, leading late in the Nationwide race until a late pass by Kyle Busch and a crash on the last lap brought out a finishing yellow. Bayne wound up sixth.
Now, itís on to the big one.
ěIíve been looking forward to this race for a while now,î Bayne said. ěThis is fun for me. Youíve kind of got to think through it, be smart with it. Itís a little bit different style of race. Thereís not the high intensity, even though youíre running 200 mph hooked to another car. Itís still not the adrenaline rush to me that you get at most other races. You can be more calm, think through things. Itís a little easier.î
Nothing has been easy for Bayne since Daytona.
The following week, he wrecked at Phoenix and finished 40th. There were a string of three straight finishes in the 30s before he improved to 17th at Texas last weekend.
Bayne is more confident about his chances at Talladega, which is a little longer and wider than Daytona but essentially the same trioval layout, with the same style of two-by-two racing. Heíll start 11th in the Aaronís 499, the best qualifying effort of his young career, and shouldnít have any problem finding drivers willing to work with him.
ěWeíve got a really good shot here at Talladega, as good as any,î Bayne said. ěOur superspeedway program is really good. Weíve got an awesome car.î
Itís not the same machine he had at Daytona; that one is now on display in the track museum. His new Ford looks different, too, switching to a red-and-yellow paint scheme instead of the throwback Woods Brothers design that was on the car in the season opener.
Four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon teamed up with Bayne at Daytona, feeling perfectly comfortable leading the way with the kid pushing him from behind, or vice versa when it was time to swap.
ěIf that scenario pops up again, Iíd be thrilled to work with him, whether itís being the pusher or being pushed,î Gordon said. ěHe did a great job in Daytona.î