For Mustang fans, chaotic and disappointing are two words that best describe the second round of the 2012 Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge at Barber Motorsports Park. The race, which was held on March 31, marked the first time in since 2007 that a Mustang didn’t win, let alone make the podium at the Birmingham, Alabama track. Mustangs finished 1-2-3 in ’08 and ’09, 1-2 in 2010, and first and third last year.

The Mustang’s past success may have played a part in the healthy field of Mustangs entered to race. Twelve Ford Racing Boss 302Rs joined Rehagen Racing’s 2009 championship-winning FR500C to make it a baker’s dozen of Mustangs in attendance. Throughout the weekend, the Mustangs never seemed to have the outright pace of their competitors. Except for the first practice session, Mustangs failed to reach the top of the timing charts. A track that got “greasy” as it warmed in the afternoon played a part as the heavy Mustangs struggled for grip.

Bob Michaelian and Dean Martin shared the #52 Rehagen Racing Boss 302R. Here they thunder past the pink azaleas at turn 14 during Wednesday's testing session.

Qualifying was the same story, with Bob Michaelian driving the #52 Rehagen Racing Boss 302R to eighth on the grid—the quickest Mustang. The CKS Autosport Camaro GS.R driven by Lawson Aschenbach snatched pole with a 1:36.401 lap.

Bob Michaelian and Dean Martin shared the #52 Rehagen Racing Boss 302R. Here they thunder past the pink azaleas at turn 14 during Wednesday's testing session.

One obvious advantage to qualifying well is to have fewer cars to pass during the race; the other is to stay ahead of any first-lap shenanigans. The latter is extremely important at Barber Motorsports Park, as the approach to turn one is downhill, and a bit blind. Those that brake too late will find themselves sailing across the track into the runoff area—unless other cars are in their way. With 75 cars starting the race, It’s likely an overly ambitious driver will take someone else along for the ride.

Unfortunately, this very scenario played itself out in turn one at the wave of the green flag. Two Starworks Motorsport Mustangs (the #02 of Alex Popow and the #22 of Enzo Potolicchio) streaked down the inside past eight cars before running out of track, sliding across the grass, and careening into the sides of the #14 Nissan 370Z and the #6 Camaro GS.R. The result eliminated themselves and damaged at least seven other cars. The mess took a half-hour to clean up!

On the second re-start, an accordion-effect caused another disaster, this time damaging five cars before they even reached the start/finish line. Teams took advantage of the situation (those that were still running, that is), by coming into the pits for fuel and a driver change. By the time the green came back out, an hour had passed without a green flag lap.

Shortly after the race’s half-way point, Matt Plumb in the #13 Rum Bum Racing Porsche Carrera took the lead from Scott Maxwell (#55 Multimatic Motorsports Aston Martin V8 Vantage), and never looked back. Plumb finished the race with a 0.618-second advantage over Maxwell. Rehagen Racing drivers Dean Martin and Bob Michaelian finished 9th—the best of the Mustangs. After winning at Daytona, the #61 Roush Performance Mustang Boss 302R of Jack Roush Jr. and Billy Johnson came home a disappointing 21st after being collected in the first-turn melee.

Hugh Plumb in the #45 Fall-Line Motorsports BMW M3 came home third. The championship lead is currently a three-way tie between the #45 and #48 Fall-Line BMW M3s, and the #13 Rum Bum Racing Porsche Carrera.

A walk through the paddock after the race was like a battle hospital. Many Mustang teams look forward to putting the 2012 Barber 200 behind them.

Shelby Blackstock hops the curb at turn 11 in search of a fast time in the #51 Roush Performance Boss 302R during Thursday's first practice session. Blackstock and co-driver Jade Buford qualified 21st and finished 24th.

More Images From The Barber 200

Vince Cavallaro and Dean Martin button up an engine swap on their #52 Mustang Boss 302R.

The #7 Starworks Motorsport Mustang Boss 302R of Dalziel and Potolicchio qualified 28th and finished 13th.

Jack Roush Jr. dives down the inside of the #59 Mustang through Barber Motorsports Park's turn 12. Roush and co-driver Billy Johnson qualified 10th but finished 21st after getting caught in a first turn crash.

Miller and Potolicchio qualified 31st and finished 32nd with their #11 Starworks Motorsport Boss 302R.

The #59 Rehagen Racing FR500C crests the hill between turns 13 and 14 during Thursday afternoon practice.

Though Luhr and Popow qualified their #02 Starworks Motorsport Boss 302R 19th, their race ended in turn one on the first lap.

The #158 Dempsey Racing Boss 302R of Roger Miller and Ian James descends through the "Alabama Coaster" during Friday morning's practice session. Miller would later qualify 27th for the race.

Jim Click qualified his #2 Mustang Boss 302R 23rd on the grid, finishing only 7 laps before retiring in 29th position.

One of the many features of Barber Motorsports Park is the beautiful sculptures spread throughout the facility. Here Jack Roush Jr. climbs the hill through turn four past an oversized dragonfly.

The #22 Starworks Motorsport Boss 302R crests turn four during qualifying. Enzo Potolicchio started 22nd before collecting several cars in the first turn during the race.

The #78 Racer's Edge Motorsports Mustang Boss 302R rounds turn three during qualifying.

Roger Miller was cought up in the accordion-effect wreck during the second re-start, and was forced to retire.

Bob Michaelian qualified 8th, but started from pit lane since the Rehagen Racing crew made some last-minute changes and were late to grid. Considering the first lap chaos, it was probably a blessing in disguise. Co-driver Dean Martin finished 9th.

The BTE Sport Mustang Boss 302R brakes heavily for turn 12 in front of the fans. Drivers Anassis and Desrochers started 26th and finished 19th.

Former Mustang Challenge competitors Brad Adams and Tony Buffomante shared the Capaldi Racing Mustang Boss 302R. Adams qualified 16th, but was involved in the turn one crash. Buffomante brought the battle-scarred horse home in 22nd position.