#17-David Reutimann led a Toyota and rookie invasion of Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday. Reutimann, a rookie, turned a lap at 179.452 mph to claim the pole for Saturday’s EasyCare 200 (1 p.m. Eastern, Speed), the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Atlanta. Joining him on the front row was fellow Toyota rookie, #12-Robert Huffman. In all, Toyota swept four of the top five and six of the top nine positions. Rookie #23-Shelby Howard (26th) was the only Toyota entry that didn’t qualify in the top nine. “The truck drove good. The wind picked up a little bit and I think it made us a little tight,” Reutimann said. “Hopefully, the wind will stay the same for everybody.” Reutimann, who drives the #17 Toyota for the team owned by for Cup driver-turned-TV announcer Darrell Waltrip, said the racing would be a big “unknown.” “Every Cup race and Busch race that I’ve seen have been great races at this facility so there’s no reason the truck can’t do the same thing,” he said. “I felt like at Daytona that our race was the best race of the weekend. Hopefully, we can do the same thing here.” #99-Carl Edwards, winner of the series opener at Daytona, was third fastest in a Ford. #42-Mike Skinner and #22-Bill Lester rounded out the top five. #6-Matt Crafton was the top Chevrolet, at sixth fastest.(ThatsRacin.com). Missing the race were: #48-Greg Sacks, #28-L W Miller and #0-Loni Richardson.
For race lineup/qualifying results see ThatsRacin.com or NASCAR.com.(3-13-2004)
