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Earnhardt, Johnson, Kahne bounced from Chase in painful day for Hendrick Motorsports

Jay Busbee
Senior writer

TALLADEGA, Ala. - Off in the distance, Brad Keselowski was performing his victory burnout on the Talladega asphalt, American flag in hand. Drivers and teams were beginning the walk -- long for some, buoyant for others -- back toward their haulers and planes. And over in a far corner of the garage, three Hendrick teams loaded up their cars in silence, readying for a long, long drive back north.

For the first time in NASCAR history, curtains are dropping on drivers no matter their regular-season success. And in this, the second round of eliminations, three members of NASCAR's reigning-champion team, saw their championship hopes end on an early, disappointing note.

Jimmie Johnson, six-time champion: eliminated. Dale Earnhardt Jr., three-time winner, including the Daytona 500: eliminated. Kasey Kahne, one of the sport's most popular drivers: eliminated.

Johnson led the most laps on Sunday afternoon. Earnhardt spent time at the front and appeared to have a car capable of returning there before a late wreck destroyed his chances. Kahne had the most heartbreaking finish, being just inches from moving on ... though it would have been at the expense of Gordon:

In one afternoon, Hendrick Motorsports has gone from having every driver in the Chase to having just one, Jeff Gordon, with a shot at the 2014 championship. The grand Hendrick-vs.-Penske battle coming into this Chase now tilts decisively in favor of Penske, with Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski holding the advantage in both momentum and numbers against Hendrick.

"You just can't avoid it down here when you are running that close together," Hendrick said after the race. "It's just what you have to get used to. Accept it and move on. It's not easy."

What now? Gordon will obviously get all of the attention from the Hendrick brain trust; his results are the only ones that truly matter now. And, if needed, his teammates can help him without concern for their own finishes.

After the race, Earnhardt was surrounded by media, his back against his damaged 88. He answered question after question, but it was clear his heart wasn't anywhere near in it. After one particularly booming question about What It All Means, Junior's voice quavered a touch, like he'd finally had enough.

"There's probably been worse things," he said. "I'm not retiring or anything ... I'm not going to get too tore up about it. I'll come back next year and try again."

Gordon, naturally, was more optimistic, pointing out that he's had strong finishes at all the remaining tracks. As for this particular track? "If I never have to come back to Talladega," he said, "I'll be fine with that."

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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter.

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