If the penalty to the #8 car and crew chief was a shot across the bow, today NASCAR hit ’em broadside! Jeff Gordon & Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsport teammates) spent the day as spectators at Infineon Raceway after failing pre-practice inspection this morning and they were not allowed to practice or qualify. Hence, they’ll start at the rear (41st and 42nd) for Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350. You gotta wonder why you schedule qualifying opposite the Truck Race. Should have been a no-brainer to start a half-hour earlier, push the CTS event back a half-hour….and everybody gets to see all the action. I’m betting the schedule planner is auditioning for a “gummit” job….. Oh, we had some action on the track too….. Jamie McMurray captured the Bud Pole today, and he’s the 8th qualifier for next February’s Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. This is Jamie Mac’s 3rd career top spot….his last one came at Pocono in July of 2005. He’ll be joined on the front row by Robby Gordon. This is his best starting spot since he had the outside pole when we were here in June of 2003. Boris Said (4th) has his best starting spot since he had the pole at Daytona last July (only five races). Tony Stewart (5th) has is best starting spot since he lined up 4th at Bristol in March. Bill Elliott (7th) has his best starting spot since he timed in 3rd at California in September of 2004! Ron Fellows (11th) has his best starting spot since he qualified 3rd when we were here in June of 2003 (only seven races). Dale Jarrett (16th) has his best starting spot since he had the outside pole at Talladega last October. Welcome Back Marc Goosens (21st). This will be his second Cup start, the first was at Watkins Glen last August when he started 27th and finished 43rd. Terry Labonte (25th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 24th at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in May of 2006. Hello Butch Leitzinger (30th). He’ll make his first Nextel Cup start on Sunday. (NOTE: Leotzinger has made 3 other Nextel Cup starts one each in 1994,1995,1996 all at Watkins Glen] Welcome Back P. J. Jones (43rd). His last Cup race was here last June when he started 15th and finished 36th. STREAKIN….Ryan Newman has 5 Top-10 starts in a row. Jeff Burton has 4 Top-10 starts in a row.(Stock Car Fans)(6-22-2007)
