TALLADEGA, Ala. – The championship contenders said Talladega Superspeedway would be the wild-card race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. That was an understatement.

Talladega delivered yet another “big one” Sunday, when defending NASCAR champion Tony Stewart triggered a 25-car pileup as he tried to protect the lead. His bid to block a long line of traffic on the last lap backfired, and his car was sent sailing through the air in a chaotic crash that collected 10 of the 12 title contenders.

Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth won under caution, and everyone else was left wondering when NASCAR will do something dramatic to alter the dangerous racing at restrictor-plate tracks.