Talladega is the ultimate Wild Card; it’s the great equalizer. Take for instance last spring’s race where David Ragan and David Gilliland gave Front Row Motorsports its first 1-2 finish or Jamie McMurray’s victory in last fall’s event.

The wins were both drivers’ only victory of 2014. In 2009, Brad Keselowski landed Phoenix Racing in Victory Lane for the first time, and Vickers surprised everyone in fall 2006 when he crossed the finish line first at Talladega.

With changes made to how one qualifies for the Chase, a surprise winner Sunday could very well lead to a surprise championship contender.