#12-Ryan Newman didn’t just break the Track Qualifying Record he crushed it (it was 127.216mph), winning the Bud Pole with a speed of 128.709mph, first ever Cup lap under 15 seconds. Newman is the first driver in 2003 to win more then one pole (in 6 races). #24-Jeff Gordon will start on the outside pole with a speed of 127.343, way over a mile an hour behind Newman. Nice run by #49-Ken Schrader who qualfied 3rd. Five of the first seven cars are Dodges. The Points Leader, #17-Matt Kenseth and #88-Dale Jarrett had to use provisionals to make the race. Missing the race were #02-Hermie Sadler and #14-Larry Foyt. #16-Greg Biffle was the highest qualifying rookie of the year candidate who ran 126.005 and will start 15th, and even though he got very little mention, rookie #74-Tony Raines will start 22nd after a run of 125.740. see my Bristol Qualifying Page (got all my mistakes fixed DOH!) for speeds, practice speeds, lineup links, pole progression, etc.(3-21-2003)
