Kurt Busch edged out Jeff Gordon for the pole today at Martinsville Speedway and he’ll lead ’em to the green for Sunday’s Subway 500….the sixth race of the “Chase” and the only short-track in the mix. Busch toured the half-mile in 19.408 sec (97.568 ) for his sixth Bud Pole of the season and 9th of his Nextel Cup career. He now tops Kasey Kahne in poles this season by one. Maybe he can make his crew chief a loan….
Dave Blaney (6th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 5th at Atlanta last October.
Jeff Green (8th) has his best starting spot since he qualified 4th at Texas in April.
Tony Raines (11th) has his best starting spot since he timed in 4th at Rockingham (where?) in November of 2003!
And, Welcome Back Ward Burton (35th). This is his first start since Phoenix in November of 2004 when he qualified 39th and finished 40th.
STREAKIN….Jimmie Johnson has 4 Top-10 starts in a row.
We may not have the “big one” here, but there are a few of the “Chasers” who have no love for a shorty like this one. After this week, it’s cookie-cutter time…..and you can bet they’re looking forward to that.(StockCarFans.com)(10-20-2006)
