F1 driver Lewis Hamilton got to try out one of NASCAR's stock cars, while Tony Stewart was also given the chance to take the McLaren-Mercedes F1 car around historic Watkins Glen.
In an afternoon of drafting tactics, all three Chase contenders had a chance of the lead and even the win - but finally a late yellow gave the victory to Clint Bowyer over Kevin Harvick.
Ryan Newman was evaluated and released from the infield medical centre following a spectacular crash in the late stages of Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Eight fans have been injured after a final-lap wreck during the Aaron's 499 at Talladega, which saw the #99 of Carl Edwards get airbourne into the safety fencing on the final lap.
1. Brad Keselowski #09 Miccosukee Chevrolet Phoenix Racing 188 laps 2. Dale Earnhardt Jr #88 Nat.Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet Hendrick Motorsports 188 laps 3. Ryan Newman #39 US Army Chevrolet Stewart Haas Racing 188 laps
Dario Franchitti will miss Sunday's Aaron's 499 at the Talladega Superspeedway after suffering a fractured ankle in a crash during the early stages of Saturday's Aaron's 312 Nationwide Series race.
Joe Nemechek booked himself and his #78 Furniture Row Racing team an express ticket to next year's Bud Shootout at Daytona after taking pole position for Sunday's Aaron's 499 at the Talladega Superspeedway.
Before the first sounds of roaring engines filled the air and the first green flag fell at Talladega Superspeedway, Larry Johnson was hard at work at the now legendary track.
Tony Stewart believes NASCAR should do away with their controversial restrictor plate engines after Rusty Wallace ran an unofficial lap of nearly 230mph around the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway using an unrestricted engine earlier this year.
#10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson's post-race interviews have lasted longer than his Talladega races in 2003. Wrecks have limited Benson to little more than 13 competitive laps. But, what makes it even more frustrating is neither wreck was of Benson's doing.
It was an abbreviated afternoon in Talladega (Ala.) for David Green, bearer of the NetZero HiSpeed Racing decals on his Hendrick Motorsports entry, after an accident on Lap nine wreaked havoc on the aerodynamics of his Chevrolet and relegated him to a 35th-place finish Sunday.
When Sunday's EA Sports 500 at Talladega Superspeedway was five laps old, Mike Skinner told himself, "We can win this race - this is one great race car."
It was a combination of experience and no experience that won Saturday afternoon's Food World 300 ARCA race at Talladega Superspeedway for youngster Paul Menard and team boss Andy Petree.
Dale Earnhardt Incorporated teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jason Keller both had their Bud Pole qualifying times disallowed at the Talladega Superspeedway after NASCAR officials found illegalities with the height of the rear quarter panels of their Chevrolet Monte Carlo's.
Kenny Wallace and the #23 Stacker 2 Bill Davis Racing operation haven't enjoyed the success they would have liked so far in 2003 although optimism is high as they prepare for this weekend's EA Sports 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway.