3 THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TALLADEGA

1. You’re out!

Racing can be a cruel sport, and Sunday it broke the hearts of four drivers who failed to advance to Round 3 of the Chase playoffs. The list includes Martin Truex Jr. (blown engine), Brad Keselowski (blown engine), Chase Elliott and Austin Dillon, who didn’t finish well enough.

2. About Dillon

Dillon tied Denny Hamlin on Chase points, but since Hamlin scored the highest finish in Round 2 (third at Talladega), he advanced, and Dillon didn’t make the cut. “It’s heartbreaking, obviously,” he said. “You need a spot, and it comes down to three one-thousandths (at the finish).”

3. Talladega tale

Brian Scott nearly had a Cinderella finish at Talladega, which is known for its occasional surprise winner. Scott finished second to Joey Logano. “I gave it everything I had,” he said. “I mean, if I could have stuck my feet through the floorboard to try and get a little more, I would have done it.”

AP/RAINIER EHRHARDT Brad Keselowski wasn’t exactly thrilled to see his Chase go up in smoke at Talladega.