Denny Hamlin returned to Pocono Raceway today and it was like he never left. When we were here six weeks ago, Hamlin won the pole and won the race….well, he’s halfway home again. He took the Bud Pole today for Sunday’s Pennsylvania 500 with a time 52.995 (169.827 mph) over Ryan Newman as he attempts to duplicate his June feat. This was the second top-spot of the season for the Virginia driver….and third of his brief NEXTEL Cup career.
Scott Riggs (9th) has his best starting spot since he had the pole at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May.
Carl Edwards (16th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 7th at Darlington in May.
Welcome Stephen Leicht (36th). He’ll make his first-ever NEXTEL Cup start on Sunday for Robert Yates….and you might say this is step one in his audition for one of those open RYR seats at the top-level of NASCAR.
STREAKIN….Brian Vickers has 3 Top-5 starts in a row. Jeff Burton has 3 Top-10 starts in a row.
The Trouble Train had some changes today. Derrike Cope, Stanton Barrett, Greg Sacks and Chad Chaffin were the cars missing the race, but it’s not as straightforward as it seems. Chaffin was origially qualifed for the event in 38th spot, but the car flunked post-qualifying inspection (too low) and he was replaced in the lineup by Jimmy Spencer.(Stock Car Fans)(7-21-2006)
