#12-Ryan Newman won the Budweiser Pole for the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway with a speed of 192.947mph for his 8th pole of 2005 and 35th of his career [tied for 18th all time]. BUT…Newman crashed on his 2nd lap in turn 4 after his right front tire blew and smacked the outside wall, came down the track and glanced off the inside wall. Newman will go to a backup car and have to fall to the rear of the field before the drop of the green flag, but he still gets the #1 pick of the pit stall. Starting 2nd is #24-Jeff Gordon, followed by #17-Matt Kenseth [will move up to the pole position], #01-Joe Nemechek and #19-Jeremy Mayfield. Fastest in Friday’s practice, #0-Mike Bliss qualified 6th. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. starts 10th, points leader #20-Tony Stewartwill start 16th. #91-Bill Elliott was the highest non top-35 team, starting 9th. Five drivers failed to make the race: #39-Reed Sorenson, #7-Robby Gordon, #09-Johnny Sauter, #51-Stuart Kirby and #92-PJ Jones. #00-Carl Long withdrew after wrecking in practice. The starting 43 were also the 43 fastest cars.
For the Qualifying results, starting lineup, practice speeds and qualifying order, see my Jayski’s Texas Practice/Qualifying/Lineup Page.(11-4-2005)
