My recollection of Talladega includes Brad Keseolwski winning, Kurt Busch in his Talladega Nights themed “ME” car and Jimmie Johnson sitting in Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s pit box after his car clunked out of the race.

I don’t know what it is but I haven’t been that excited about this season so far. It’s a really weird feeling. I thought Talladega would definitely suck me in and it didn’t. Don’t get me wrong it was far more intriguing than some of the previous races but I found it hard to care. I’m sure I’ll feel differently when I get to Charlotte for the All-Star Race and in June for the race at Infineon. It’s always a million times better to be there in person. Turns out I’m not staying in Charlotte for the Coca Cola 600, instead I might try to make it out to Indianapolis in July.

In other news…

— After watching the race I stumbled upon the movie “Taxi” staring Jimmy Fallon and Queen Latifah. It came out in 2004 and I’d never seen it before but I knew it featured models as bank robbers, including Gisele Bundchen and NASCAR WAG Ingrid Vandebosch as “Third Robber.” Ingrid went on to marry Jeff Gordon, who makes a cameo at the end of the movie, two years later. I just thought that was funny/interesting, even though Ingrid & Jeff never had a scene together, they ended up together in real life.


Johanna Long walks through the garage prior to practice for the Aaron's 312 at her home track, Talladega Superspeedway. (Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Johanna Long walks through the garage prior to practice for the Aaron's 312 at her home track, Talladega Superspeedway. (Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

A freshly-shaved Dale Earnhardt Jr. signs autographs in the Talladega Superspeedway garage. (Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR)

A freshly-shaved Dale Earnhardt Jr. signs autographs in the Talladega Superspeedway garage. (Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Crew members work on the No. 51 Phoenix Construction Services Chevrolet of Kurt Busch that is sporting a special "Talladega Nights" paint scheme. (Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Crew members work on the No. 51 Phoenix Construction Services Chevrolet of Kurt Busch that is sporting a special "Talladega Nights" paint scheme. (Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 15 Aaron's/Alabama National Champions Toyota, stands on the grid with crew members houndstooth caps made famous by former Alabama head coach Bear Bryant during Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday in Talladega, Ala. (Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 15 Aaron's/Alabama National Champions Toyota, stands on the grid with crew members houndstooth caps made famous by former Alabama head coach Bear Bryant during Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday in Talladega, Ala. (Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 18 GameStop Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday in Talladega, Ala. (Credit: Tyler Barrick/Getty Images)

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 18 GameStop Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday in Talladega, Ala. (Credit: Tyler Barrick/Getty Images)

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet, talks to Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet, in the garage area during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday in Talladega, Ala. (Credit: Tyler Barrick/Getty Images)

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet, talks to Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet, in the garage area during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday in Talladega, Ala. (Credit: Tyler Barrick/Getty Images)

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet, looks on from the pit box of Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, after his was taken out of the race by an incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday in Talladega, Ala. (Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet, looks on from the pit box of Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, after his was taken out of the race by an incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday in Talladega, Ala. (Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Brad Keselowski and the No. 2 Miller Lite Penske Dodge team celebrate in Victory Lane after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 on Sunday in Talladega, Ala. (Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Brad Keselowski and the No. 2 Miller Lite Penske Dodge team celebrate in Victory Lane after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 on Sunday in Talladega, Ala. (Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)