Jimmie Johnson takes the Bud Pole today at Chicagoland Speedway for Sunday’s USG Sheetrock 400, and it’s his first pole since he captured the top-spot at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May of 2004! Sure, he’s started first three times since….but those were all races we lined up by points, the most recent of which was at Dover last month. This is career pole #9 for JJ. Johnson also becomes our 11th different qualifier for next February’s Budweiser Shootout at Daytona.
The first six qualifiers were all below the previous track record, and Johnson shattered that mark with a time of 28.701 (188.147 mph)…..besting the old record by almost 2/10ths.
Dave Blaney (10th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 8th at Talladega in April.
Travis Kvapil (16th) has his best starting spot since he started 9th at Talladega in April.
David Stremme (31st) makes his first-ever Nextel Cup start. He’s warming up for a full-time ride in the #40 next year.
Stuart Kirby (32nd) has his best starting spot since he lined up 26th when we were here in July of 2002! (only 3 starts)
J. J. Yeley (13th) qualified Tony Stewart’s car for him today after he blew a tire and was hurt in practice. Tony had no broken bones but was a little woozy and was held out of qualifying. It’s expected he’ll be good to go on Sunday….but he’ll have to drop to the rear of the field.
STREAKIN…..An empty category again this week.
47 cars on hand and it’s wasn’t all that close as Kenny Wallace (in the #92 this weekend), Mike Garvey, P. J. Jones, and Wayne Anderson all get left out this weekend.(Stock Car Fans)(7-8-2005)
