In a season that’s been less than stellar, Jeff Gordon set a new track record today at Infineon Raceway for Sunday’s Dodge/Save Mart 350…breaking his year-old mark. Gordon, the last driver to take a time, ran 94.325 mph (75.950 seconds) to take his second Bud pole of the season (he had the top spot at Phoenix in April) and the 54th of his Cup career. He’ll be joined on the front-row by teammate Jimmie Johnson.
Mark Martin (3rd) has his best starting spot since he had the outside pole at Richmond last September.
Boris Said (4th) has his best starting spot since he had the pole when we were here in June of 2003 (only 8 races).
Robby Gordon (5th) has his best starting spot since he started 5th at Michigan in June of 2004.
Terry Labonte (8th) has his best starting spot since he had the outside pole at Loudon in September of 2003! He’s in for Jason Leffler this week in Joe Gibb’s #11 Chevy.
Dale Earnhardt Jr (10th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 5th at Daytona in February.
The Road Course Ringers are well represented this weekend. Scott Pruett (9th), Tom Hubert (35th) and Ron Fellows (43rd) all make their first starts of the season. Brian Simo (22nd) makes his first start since he ran Watkins Glen for Junie Donlavey in August of 2001 (he started 42nd and finished 37th that day), and Chris Cook (28th) makes his first-ever NEXTEL Cup start.
STREAKIN….Tony Stewart has 5 Top-10 starts in the last 6 races.
Jeff Gordon has 4 Top-10 starts in the last 5 races.
Always a different story when we go left AND right, and I would suspect this weekend to be the same. Limited passing opportunites, no “lucky dog” rule, long yellow laps, keep the tranny in the car, keep it on the pavement, be lucky and pit before the yellow comes out…..like they don’t have enough to think about already!(Stock Car Fans)(6-24-2005)
