DRIVERS MUST MOVE TO AVOID `THE BIG ONE'.(SPORTS)

By MICHAEL PARKER

Two months ago, NASCAR kicked off its 53rd season of racing with its largest annual event, the Daytona 500. This season was to be NASCAR's finest: A new network TV deal would bring NASCAR racing to more homes than ever before, while the return of Dodge meant all three of the major US auto makers would compete in America's No. 1 form of motorsports. Dodge made a grand entrance for that race, sweeping the top three spots during qualifying.

On Friday, Dodge again grabbed the top three positions for Sunday's Talladega 500. Stacy Compton, second in Daytona, was out front with a lap of 184.861 mph. Sterling Marlin was second at 184.576, while Daytona pole-winner Bill Elliott's Intrepid will start third in Sunday's 43-car field after qualifying at 184.009.

Dodge is hoping to celebrate at the end of the race on Sunday, something the company was …