Kurt Busch has gotta hold….and he ain’t lettin’ go. Looking to end that battle for the final “Chase” spot this weekend (and with 161/195 being the Magic Numbers), Kurt Busch took the Bud Pole today at California Speedway for Sunday’s Sharp AQUOS 500 with a time of 39.474 sec (182.399 mph). Busch comes into the weekend in the 12th and final transfer spot for the Chase with a 158 point lead. If he leaves here Sunday Night with a 195 point margin, he’s locked in…..if that margin is 161, then he has only to start next week at Richmond to make the Chase.0 This was the first top-spot of the season for Kurt, and the 10th of his Nextel Cup career. He took both poles here last year, btw. Jimmie Johnson (2nd) will join Busch on the front-row….this is his best starting spot since he had the outside pole at Michigan in June. David Gilliland (14th) has his best starting spot since he had the outside pole at Talladega in April. Brian Vickers (17th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 16th at Michigan in June. A. J. Allmendinger (18th) has his best starting spot since he timed in 13th at Richmond in May. STREAKIN….Jimmie Johnson has 5 Top-10 starts in a row. Kyle Busch has 4 Top-10 starts in the last 5 races. Denny Hamlin has 4 Top-10 starts in the last 5 races.(Stock Car Fans)(8-31-2007)
