Ryan Newman picked up Bud Pole #10 for the season today at Phoenix International Raceway for Sunday’s Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Havoline. It’s the third pole in the last four events for Newman, and the 17th of his Winston Cup career. He’s now hitting a lusty .218 for the top-spot. Remember last week when we said that #25-Brian Vickers was setting the bar pretty high? Well, he raised it today. In only his 3rd career Cup start, he’ll start from the outside front row on Sunday, besting that 4th place start he had at Atlanta last week. A strong qualifying day for the Hendrick Motorsports Chevies….2nd, 3rd, and 4th…bookended by those Penske Dodges. #77-Dave Blaney (8th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 8th at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May. #6-Mark Martin (12th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 3rd at Richmond in September. STREAKIN….Jeff Gordon has 8 Top-10 starts in the last 9 races. Jimmie Johnson has 7 Top-10 starts in the last 8 races. The Trouble Train contained only two cars today. Derrike Cope (for the 8th time this season) gets the looong ride home, while for Brandon Ash it’s a little shorter but none too sweet. Ash has attempted three West Coast events this season (Las Vegas, Infineon, and today) with no success. Provisionals went to: Matt Kenseth, Ricky Craven, Dale Jarrett, Steve Park, Tony Raines, Jeff Green, and Kevin Lepage. This marks the 12th freebie the #43 has had to take this season. Seems like every driver loves the re-design of this racetrack….lets see if they’re still as happy come Sunday.( StockCarFans.Com Winstoncup Newsletter )(10-31-2003)
