The Chase rolls on and for the second week in a row we’ve got a “Chaser” in the top-spot. Jeff Gordon took the Bud Pole today for Sunday’s Dover 400 with a time of 23.053 (156.162 mph) for his first pole of the season and 55th of his Nextel Cup career. This is his first pole since he led ’em to the green at Infineon Raceway in June of 2005, and he’s the 13th qualifier for next February’s Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. Scott Riggs (2nd) has his best starting spot since he had the pole at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May…..but there’s a chance they’ll change engines so he may have to drop to the back.
Joe Nemechek (5th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 5th at Daytona in July
Carl Edwards (6th) has his best starting spot since he timed in 3rd at Talladega in April
Reed Sorenson (7th) has his career-best starting spot this week. His previous best was at Loudon in July when he started 9th
Kevin Lepage (11th) has his best starting spot since he qualified 6th at Kansas last October
Derrike Cope (31st) has his best starting spot since he lined up 31st at Texas in April of 2004 (20 races)
Welcome David Ragan! He’ll start 37th this week in a Jack Roush Ford for his Cup debut.
STREAKIN….Kurt Busch has 4 Top-10 starts in the last 5 races
Only three “Chasers” in the Top-10 spots this week could lead to a little tippy-toeing early on Sunday. This place has been known to chew up more than a few cars…..they don’t call it the Monster Mile for nothin’.(StockCarFans.com)(9-22-2006)
