We went back to the qualifying format we’ve used for years, and the face we’ve seen for years pointing to the Bud scoreboard was atop the final rundown today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Ryan Newman took the top-spot for Sunday’s UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 with a time of 31.080 (173.745 mph); the 28th Bud Pole of his Cup career. It wasn’t easy tho….Elliott Salder only missed by a little over half a hundredth.
Kevin Harvick provided the excitement for the day as his team tried an inventive way to circumvent the new rules requiring all cars to qualify with a full fuel tank. It didn’t work cause they went too fast (NASCAR pays real close attention to the Top-5 qualifiers)……he timed in 4th but will start 42nd.
Elliott Sadler (2nd) has his best starting spot since he had the outside pole at Daytona in February of 2004.
Scott Riggs (4th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 4th at Lowe’s last October.
Travis Kvapil (6th) has his best starting spot since he started 5th at Martinsville last October.
Ken Schrader (14th) has his best starting spot since he timed in 7th at Talladega in September of 2003!
Bobby Hamilton Jr. has his best starting spot since he lined up 11th at Lowe’s last October.
Jason Leffler (17th) has his best starting spot since he started 6th at Kansas in October of 2003. (only 6 races).
STREAKIN….Ryan Newman has 10 Top-10 starts in a row.
Jimmie Johnson has 4 Top-10 starts in the last 5 races.
(in part from StockCarFans.com)(3-11-2005)
