We had a great car and were able to lead some laps, but we just didn't have much help at the end. Still, it was a great points day for us and I moved up to second and am only six points behind Jeff Burton.

We were sitting in sixth for the final 10 laps or so, and I was trying to time my run on Kurt Busch in front of me with the run that Martin Truex was getting behind me. But he was trying to do the same with me and Kevin Harvick, who was running behind him.

Obviously, we never could get in tune.

I knew the 31 (Burton) and the 24 (Jeff Gordon) had some big problems and it was going to end up a pretty good day for us in the points, so part of me was thinking, ``Man, I can't risk jumping out of line and falling all the way back to 20th or something.''

But I had made up my mind to dive low going into turn three on the final lap and just see what happens. I thought, even if no one went with me, I could still salvage a top-10 finish.

But as soon as I took a peek inside, all I could see was the side of the 8 (Dale Earnhardt) and the 48 (Jimmie Johnson). I didn't know what had happened, but I quickly tucked back in line and we ended up finishing fourth, which is probably the best thing that could have happened for us at that point anyway.

It puts us in a good spot for these next few races. After the miserable run we had at Kansas and the disappointment we had at Dover, it was nice to run up front, lead laps and get a top-five finish out of it. This finish definitely helped us gained some much-needed momentum.

Now we're heading to Charlotte, which is one of my favourite tracks on the circuit. My first Cup win was there (in 2000) and we've won the All-Star race there. We're only six points back and in good shape to make a run at the title.

___

Kenseth's Q&A with AP auto racing writer Jenna Fryer:

Question: What a finish at Talladega. Now that you've seen the replays, what did you think of Vickers taking out the leaders?

Answer: ``It was unfortunate for Dale Jr. and Jimmie and I hate to see that happen. But in that type of racing, it's always a possibility. The main thing is I doubt that Brian did it on purpose. I think he really intended to push him to the win and it just didn't work out, he just got him at a bad angle. But that's the way those deals go sometimes.''

Q: I think people wonder why Jimmie just didn't sit in second place and take those points, because he really needed them. As a racer, is it possible to just sit back and points race, or is it against everything you believe in to not run for the win?

A: ``No, no, you go for it. I always say the same thing; What's more important, the win or the points? Well, every time I've checked, you get the most points for the win, so you've got to go for the win. You know, the way Jimmie raced that race was really, really smart. He didn't try to get the lead with four laps to go, he waited until the perfect time. He and Vickers had a big lead on fourth place, he had a huge run going, he was going into turn three, so even if he didn't complete the pass, he was still going to get a good finish. The worst he was going to do was finish third. He played it really smart, had nothing to lose, calculated it out and was probably going to win the race. He just didn't expect to get wrecked by his teammate.''

Q: It looks like that accident might really harm the friendship between Vickers and Johnson. Have you ever feuded with a teammate?

A: ``I have had disagreements with teammates and they've had them with me, but we've all worked it out. I can't imagine that someone would turn a teammate on purpose. But I've been on the other side of it, like in Chicago when Jeff Gordon took me out, that was totally intentional. So I totally know how it feels. I've been on the other side of it, too.''

Q: The Gordon situation at Chicago is a little different because he wasn't your teammate. So how is the relationship now?

A: ``I don't know if we've ever had a relationship. We've always known each other, and always raced against each other, but I haven't really been one of his `in' people. I don't get invited to the clubs in New York. But we do race each other clean.''

Q: There's some rumblings that you and crew chief Robbie Reiser may be splitting up at the end of the season, so he can move into a managerial role at Roush Racing. What's going on there?

A: ``I don't know, it looks to be something that (teammate) Greg Biffle started in an interview more than anything and now it's got legs. I only know that Robbie is one of the most talented crew chiefs in the business, and I'm really proud that we have the longest crew chief-driver relationship in the garage. But he's obviously not going to be a crew chief forever. I do hope he keeps doing it for a while, but whatever he wants to do I support him. Robbie has offers from all over the place to go run other teams, and maybe someday he will. Selfishly, I want him to keep doing my deal for a long time.''

Q: Mark Martin is leaving Roush Racing after like 100 years there. What do you think about that?

A: ``I have really mixed emotions on that because I hate to see him leave Roush, he's been here a long time and he's the face of the team. But if that's what he wants to do, and it gives him more flexibility with his schedule, then I am happy for it.''

Q: So if Mark's gone, are you the new face of Roush Racing?

A: ``I don't know if I am ready for that role. I would certainly like to help where I can. But I like to joke that Greg is the new face because he's the oldest. But he's certainly been around a long time and has won a Busch championship and a truck championship, and like I said, he's the oldest. So between me and him, we'll do what we can to help.''

Q: Give me a fantasy football update.

A: ``I won this week, so I am now 4-1. But I play (wife) Katie and her sister, Julie, this week. Their team name is `Twisted Sisters.' Her sister is really into it, and Katie is getting into it, and I've already been talking smack this week. I'm looking forward to the matchup.''