Truex Jr Tuned for Dover Cup Pole

Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR

Taking on the Monster Mile, NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and teams are set to compete on one of only two all-concrete track surfaces in the stock car racing tour. The third race in the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup, focus on the top-12 drivers has dominated the past two NASCAR events aided by the wins of Tony Stewart. However, with 43 cars in a Sprint Cup Series race, Dover International Speedway was one of the final 8 races to obtain glory for any driver.

In NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying for the AAA 400, the #56 NAPA Toyota driven by Martin Truex Jr emerged as pole sitter on Saturday. Cutting a lap around the 1-mile track in 22.641 seconds, the Michael Waltrip Racing-owned stock car averaged 159.004 miles per hour. Stepping over Kurt Busch's #22 Dodge for the premium front row position, Truex Jr was a mere 0.003 seconds faster around the Dover oval. In 2009, Martin Truex Jr claimed his first and only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Dover International Speedway's spring event with #1 Chevrolet fielded by Dale Earnhardt Incorporated.

Assembling the top-5 behind Martin Truex Jr and Kurt Busch for Sunday's AAA 400 at Dover is Paul Menard, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch. With only 4 Chase contending drivers in the top-10 after qualifying (Jimmie Johnson in 6th joins the before-mentioned Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch), many of the championship fighters for the 2011 Sprint Cup will start deep in the field. Most notably in 28th place is current Chase championship points leader Tony Stewart. His immediate rivals were not entirely able to capitalize on Stewart's stumble in qualifying. Brad Keselowski starts 15th while Kevin Harvick (who trails the #14 car driver/owner by 7 points after 2 races) will launch 22nd tomorrow.

Starting at 2 PM eastern time, the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway is committed to run Sunday. Chance of showers is predicted for the event but is rated around a 30-40 percent probability.   

2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup
AAA 400
Dover International Speedway
Starting Line-up

Pos # | Car # | Driver | Sponsor | Car Make

1. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
2. 22 Kurt Busch Shell Pennzoil Dodge
3. 27 Paul Menard Pittsburgh Paints / Menards Chevrolet
4. 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Ford
5. 18 Kyle Busch Interstate Batteries Toyota
6. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's / Kobalt Tools Chevrolet
7. 43 A J Allmendinger Best Buy Ford
8. 47 Bobby Labonte grilling.com / Kingsford Toyota
9. 4 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota
10. 16 Greg Biffle 3M / Cubitron Ford
11. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Office Toyota
12. 9 Marcos Ambrose Stanley Ford
13. 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
14. 0 David Reutimann Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
15. 2 Brad Keselowski Miller Lite Dodge
16. 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
17. 5 Mark Martin GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
18. 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Ford
19. 6 David Ragan UPS Ford
20. 39 Ryan Newman US Army ROTC Chevrolet
21. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. National Guard / AMP Energy Chevrolet
22. 29 Kevin Harvick Rheem Chasing the Cure Chevrolet
23. 1 Jamie McMurray McDonald's Chevrolet
24. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
25. 51 Landon Cassill Phoenix Construction / Thank A Teacher
26. 37 Josh Wise MaxQ Motorsports Ford
27. 33 Clint Bowyer Cheerios / Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
28. 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot / Mobil 1 Chevrolet
29. 46 Scott Speed Red Line Oil / International Ford
30. 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota
31. 30 David Stremme Inception Motorsports Chevrolet
32. 55 Travis Kvapil Front Row Motorsports Ford
33. 20 Joey Logano The Home Depot Toyota
34. 24 Jeff Gordon Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet
35. 66 Michael McDowell HP Racing Toyota
36. 34 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford
37. 71 Andy Lally Interstate Moving Services Ford
38. 7 Reed Sorenson SPEED Energy / MAPEI / Menards Dodge
39. 13 Casey Mears GEICO Toyota
40. 32 Mike Bliss Street King Ford
41. 36 Dave Blaney Golden Corral Chevrolet
42. 87 Joe Nemechek AM FM Energy Toyota
43. 38 J J Yeley Drive Sober. Arrive Alive Ford

Winning from Pole, Jimmie Johnson Wins All at Dover

Photo Credit: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR

Entering the AAA 400, Jimmie Johnson's 2010 season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup season has been a roller coaster ride. Five wins prior to the end of June, the four-time Sprint Cup champion and his #48 Hendrick Motorsports team were, at one point, in peril of even making the 2010 Chase for the Cup. Since the July race at Daytona, the #48 Chevrolet had recorded 6 finishes of 22nd or worse. Because of this winless streak starting just before his wife gave birth of his daughter Genevieve Marie, Jimmie Johnson had yet to win a Sprint Cup race as a father.

Collecting his 3rd pole of 2010 on Friday, Jimmie Johnson attacked the one-mile Dover International Speedway prior to the AAA 400 race. Taking the green flag on Sunday, the #48 Lowes Chevrolet led the first 13 laps of the event before fellow front-row starter AJ Allmendinger in the Richard Petty Motorsports #43 Ford assumed the lead at Dover. Between Allmendinger and Johnson, those two drivers would led 334 of the race's 400 laps.

As Allmendinger led the early going of the AAA 400 at Dover, 2008 Dover spring race winner Martin Truex Jr was again showing strength this season in the #56 NAPA Toyota after a 3rd place start. By lap 100, Truex had worked his way into the runner-up place passing Johnson's #48 Chevrolet. Also running well within the first one-quarter of the race event was Juan Pablo Montoya who was maintaining his 5th place starting spot.
A very clean event, the AAA 400 was slowed only 4 times by caution and just one of those cautions was because of an accident. On lap 53, an incident involving the #39 Chevy of Ryan Newman and David Reutimann's #00 Toyota resulted in the Toyota suffering more serious damage than Newman's Chevrolet. With two yellow flags for debris and one for a damaged light, the race's flew through 1/3 distance with Allmendinger hold a lead of more than 4 seconds over second place after lap 150.

Unfortunately, Allmendinger's hopes of victory were thrown off kilter by a mis-timed pit stop on lap 172 when the #43 car driver cited poor handling as the reason to arrive for early service. What made AJ Allmendinger's stop so ill-timed was the debris caution that would slow the field 17 laps later trapping the #43 Ford a lap down in 27th place. Taking advantage of the wave around to get back to the lead lap, Allmendinger and crew worked hard to regain position but would never challenge within the top-five again in the AAA 400. The #43 Ford would come home 10th in the final running order.

Just as Allmendinger's hopes for a Dover victory were ended, Martin Truex Jr would encounter problems shortly afterwards. On lap 208, Truex Jr's day went south when a loose wheel forced the #56 NAPA Toyota to pit road. As the car appears to stall leaving the pits, driver and crew determine a rear axle shaft has broken forcing the Michael Waltrip Racing car to the garage after a spectacular performance in the first half of the AAA 400. Martin Truex Jr would be sent back out on the track to eventually finish at Dover 17 laps down in 34th position.

Photo Credit: Chris Trotman/ Getty Images

Because of the downfall of Allmendinger and Truex Jr, Jimmie Johnson was effectively on easy street with a very fast #48 Chevrolet Impala parading the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway. The Busch brothers did provide an occasional change of scenery. Kurt Busch's #2 Dodge would led for 3 laps while the #18 Toyota of younger Kyle Busch led a 46 lap stint through lap 293 to 338.

At the end, there was no stopping a hungry Jimmie Johnson planting his #48 Chevy into victory lane at Dover. His 6th time winning on the 'Monster Mile', Johnson finished 2.6 seconds ahead of Jeff Burton on the track. In regards to placement within the Chase points, Johnson now finds himself in second place 35 points behind leader Denny Hamlin. Unable to lead a lap at Dover, Hamlin rolled across the line 9th.

As Johnson moved up 4 places in the Chase standings, drivers Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick lost positions on lackluster runs. Though Gordon finished 11th, several Chase contenders leapfrogged the #24 car driver at the end of the 400-mile event. Working harder again because of a weak qualifying spot, Harvick's efforts from 33rd to 15th were not enough to prevent a 3 spot dive.

Joey Logano and Paul Menard, two non-chase drivers, also enjoyed some very respectable finishes in the AAA 400 at Dover. The track where he made his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut just a little more than 2 years ago, Logano finished 4th in his #20 Home Depot Toyota. Menard, teammate to longtime race leader AJ Allmendinger with Richard Petty Motorsports, come home 7th leading the team's efforts.

Next for the NASCAR Sprint Cup tour is the Price Chopper 400 at Kansas Speedway with the green flag dropping on Sunday 1 P.M.



2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
AAA 400
Dover International Speedway
Race Results

Top-10:

Pos #    | Car #     | Driver              | Sponsor/ Car Make

1)            48          Jimmie Johnson        Lowe's/KOBALT Tools Chevrolet
2)            31          Jeff Burton               Caterpillar Chevrolet
3)            20          Joey Logano             Home Depot Toyota
4)              2          Kurt Busch               Miller Lite Dodge
5)             99         Carl Edwards            Aflac Ford
6)             18          Kyle Busch               Interstate Batteries Toyota
7)              98         Paul Menard             Sylvania/Menards Ford
8)              39         Ryan Newman          Haas Automation Chevrolet
9)              11         Denny Hamlin            FedEx Express Toyota
10)            43         AJ Allmendinger         Insignia HDTV Ford


Other Notables:

11)            24          Jeff Gordon               DuPont/Law Enforcement Museum Chevrolet
12)              5          Mark Martin              Delphi/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
14)           42          Juan Pablo Montoya  Target Chevrolet
15)           29           Kevin Harvick          Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet
18)           17           Matt Kenseth           Crown Royal Ford
19)           16           Greg Biffle                3M Ford
21) 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet
23) 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet
25) 33 Clint Bowyer BB&T Chevrolet
34) 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Toyota

Jimmie Johnson Prevails with NASCAR Sprint Cup Pole at Dover

Photo Credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images

After a frighteningly bad start to the 2010 Chase for the Sprint Cup at New Hampshire last weekend, Jimmie Johnson and his #48 Lowes-sponsored Hendrick Motorsports team conquered the "Monster Mile" in NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying for Dover International Speedway's AAA 400. Taking a late draw in the qualifying order, Johnson overcame a 19th fastest time in the Friday morning practice session to beat out AJ Allmendinger and Martin Truex Jr for the third 2010 pole for the #48 Chevrolet. Driver fastest in practice Ryan Newman could only muster a 14th place run during the time trial at Dover.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase leader Denny Hamlin starts 4th for Sunday's race, 2nd place challenger Kevin Harvick (elevated to the position after a 150 point NASCAR penalty dropped Clint Bowyer from 2nd to 12th) will be working his way up from another poor start 33rd on the field.

Scheduled for Sunday afternoon at about 1:00 P.M. the engines will start for the second race within the 2010 Chase for the Sprint Cup.


2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
AAA 400
Dover International Speedway
Qualifying Results

Top-10:

Pos #  |  Car #   | Driver  | Sponsor/Car make

1)           48            Jimmie Johnson        Lowe's/KOBALT Tools Chevrolet (C)
2)           43            AJ Allmendinger       Insignia HDTV Ford
3)           56            Martin Truex Jr.       NAPA Toyota
4)           11            Denny Hamlin           FedEx Express Toyota (C)
5)           42            Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
6)           16            Greg Biffle                3M Ford (C)
7)             1             Jamie McMurray     McDonald's Chevrolet
8)             2             Kurt Busch              Miller Lite Dodge (C)
9)            98            Paul Menard            Sylvania/Menards Ford
10)          99            Carl Edwards           Aflac Ford (C)

Other Notables:

11)          18 Kyle Busch Interstate Batteries Toyota (C)
14)          17            Matt Kenseth            Crown Royal Ford (C)
15)          24            Jeff Gordon               DuPont/Law Enforcement Museum Chevrolet (C)
16)           9             Kasey Kahne             Budweiser/Stanley Ford
24)          33            Clint Bowyer              BB&T Chevrolet (C)
25)          14             Tony Stewart            Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet (C)
31)          12             Brad Keselowski       No. 12 Penske Dodge Dodge
32)          88             Dale Earnhardt Jr.     National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet
33)          29             Kevin Harvick           Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet (C)
42) 5              Mark Martin Delphi/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet

(C) denotes Chase contender

Jimmie Johnson to lead AAA 400 at Dover to green

During Friday qualifying, the #48 Lowes Chevrolet piloted by Jimmie Johnson posted top spot for the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway. Focused on the big picture of four straight NASCAR Sprint Cup championships, Jimmie Johnson returns to the location of his second ever Sprint Cup win ready to launch for the point lead occupied by Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin.

Starting alongside Johnson is the hungry Juan Pablo Montoya and the #42 Chevrolet. Ryan Newman set third fastest time placing a trio of Chevrolets in the first three positions for the green flag on Sunday. Rough Fenway driver Greg Biffle qualified fourth anxious to repeat last year's finish in victory lane.

Driving the top qualifying Toyota, David Reutimann can be claim the honour of being the AAA 400's highest starting non-chase driver.

Kasey Kahne posted a fast time during final practice on Saturday and appears ready to vanish the misadventures of the #9 Richard Petty Motorsports team at last week's opening round of New Hampshire for the 2009 Chase for the Cup. Completing the complexion of the top 10 for the AAA 400 at Dover are Jeff Gordon, Saturday's Nationwide race winner Clint Bowyer, Sam Hornish Jr., and Paul Menard.

Many of the remaining Chase for the Sprint Cup contenders ran times within the upper half of the AAA 400's starting lineup. The #99 Ford of Carl Edwards starts in the basement of the grid with final practice failing to dramatically change the outlook. Based on the final practice, keep an eye on Juan Montoya, Joey Lagono, and Mark Martin as strong prospects for top finishes this afternoon alongside Kahne. Johnson was also fast in that session so prepare for another sleep-inducing path of dominance at the NASCAR Sprint Cup race of Dover.


AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway Starting Lineup

1. Jimmie Johnson- #48 Chevrolet (C)
2. Juan Pablo Montoya- #42 Chevrolet (C)
3. Ryan Newman- #39 Chevrolet (C)
4. Greg Biffle- #16 Ford (C)
5. David Reutimann- #00 Toyota (C)
6. Kasey Kahne- #9 Dodge (C)
7. Jeff Gordon- #24 Chevrolet (C)
8. Clint Bowyer- #33 Chevrolet
9. Sam Hornish Jr.- #77 Dodge
10. Paul Menard- #98 Ford

12. Brian Vickers- #83 Toyota (C)
13. Denny Hamlin- #11 Toyota (C)
14. Mark Martin- #5 Chevrolet (C)
15. Kyle Busch- #18 Toyota
16. Kurt Busch- #2 Dodge (C)
22. Tony Stewart- #14 Chevrolet (C)
24. Dale Earnhardt Jr.- #88 Chevrolet
30. Carl Edwards- #99 Ford (C)