in a little bit of a shocker, #17-Matt Kenseth won the Budweiser Pole for the Sharpie 500 at the Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 127.300mph, nudging #24-Jeff Gordon off the pole. Kenseth went out late, 47th of 49 drivers, winning his first pole of 2005, 1st since Dover in May of 2002, a 118 races ago and only 2nd of his career. Gordon held on to 2nd, followed by #07-Dave Blaney, #16-Biffle and #21-Rick Rudd. Points leader #20-Tony Stewart, in a backup car, qualified 17th. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. was slow and qualified 43rd and will start 41st. #32-Bobby Hamilton Jr. was the highest of the non-top 35 teams, qualifying 8th.
For speeds, starting lineup, pole progression, rookies and more on Jayski’s Bristol Qualifying/Practice/Starting Grid Page.(8-26-2005)
