DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In days gone by, Talladega Superspeedway’s second race each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season was held in late July, with impressive competition meeting oppressive heat. Seeking to enhance the first but lose the second, NASCAR moved the event to October.

Then, starting in 2004, things got hotter than ever.

Credit the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR’s playoff-style championship-deciding format that encompasses the last 10 races of the season. When the format was instituted in ‘04 it placed tempestuous Talladega in the middle of the mix.

Sunday’s AMP Energy 500 is Race 4 in the 2008 “Chase.” As always, the only thing predictable about Talladega is the track’s unpredictability.

Credit the banking of 33 degrees in the turns.

Or maybe the overall track length of 2.66 miles, conducive to serious speed.

And don’t forget the close-quarters racing resulting from carburetor restrictor plates that reduce horsepower and put a premium on handling, drafting — and teamwork. Or in lieu of teamwork, cooperation between non-teammates.

Talladega’s tough — particularly on drivers who roll into town leading the Chase standings. In the four years of the Chase thus far, only once has the leader coming into Talladega been the leader leaving town — Jeff Burton (No. 31 AT&T Mobility Chevrolet) in 2006. And that was a close call; Burton’s lead was sliced to six points after a 27th-place race finish. He ended up a disappointing seventh in the final point standings.

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