Kenseth Leads Ford Front Row for Sunday's Phoenix Cup Race

Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Still possessing a mathematical chance at the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, Matt Kenseth emerged from Saturday's qualifying with the Kobalt Tools 500 pole position. Kenseth steered his #17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford around the newly-paved Phoenix International Raceway with a lead time of a 26.26 seconds averaging 137.10 miles per hour. A tad slower than teammate Carl Edward's spring qualifying benchmark, Matt Kenseth's time is the quickest run achieved during a late fall event at the one-mile Phoenix oval. 

Allowing Ford's blue oval to shine with supremacy from the start of Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race, AJ Allmendinger lapped the race track at 26.38 seconds. Ford Fusions swept the top three positions with the second Richard Petty Motorsports #9 car of Marcos Ambrose registering a time just 3/100ths of a second slower than Allmendinger.

While Ford teams claims some important victories at Phoenix International Raceway (including the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race by Alan Kulwicki in 1988 and Carl Edward's victory in last season's fall event), Chevrolet have won 13 of the 15 Phoenix Sprint Cup runnings. At the start of Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500, the top Chevrolet will be in 4th spot; the Hendrick Motorsports #5 machine driven by Mark Martin. Martin's fellow Hendrick Motorsports teammates are positioned in mid-field positions with Jimmie Johnson in 16th, Dale Earnhardt Jr starting 22nd and Jeff Gordon qualified in 23rd. Of the 12 race won by Chevrolet since 2003, 7 times it was a Hendrick Motorsports car stationed in victory lane.

Wrapping up the top-10 qualifiers for the Kobalt Tools 500 at Phoenix International Raceway is Martin Truex Jr (the highest starting Toyota), Jamie McMurray, David Reutimann, title-contending Tony Stewart, Chase points leader Carl Edwards and Kasey Kahne. With Edwards and Stewart entering the Phoenix separated by just 3 points in the 2011 Chase points, one slight miscue by either driver could result in a drastic event as only the series finale Homestead-Miami Speedway round left after this race.

Interesting notes heading into the resurfaced Phoenix International Raceway is neither Toyota or Dodge have recorded a Cup victory at the one-mile Arizona track. Also, the Phoenix race Sunday will be the first career Sprint Cup start with Camping World Truck Series rookie Cole Whitt driving a third Toyota Camry for Team Red Bull.

Scheduled for 312 laps, the 500-kilometer NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix is set for a 3pm Eastern time start.

  

2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Kobalt Tools 500
Phoenix International Raceway
Starting Lineup

  

1. 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Ford
2. 43 A J Allmendinger WIX Filters Ford
3. 9 Marcos Ambrose DeWalt Ford
4. 5 Mark Martin GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
5. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
6. 1 Jamie McMurray McDonald's Chevrolet
7. 0 David Reutimann TUMS Toyota
8. 14 Tony Stewart Mobil 1 / Office Depot Chevrolet
9. 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Ford
10. 4 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota
11. 27 Paul Menard Peak / Menards Chevrolet
12. 2 Brad Keselowski Miller Lite Dodge
13. 6 David Ragan UPS My Choice Ford
14. 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Global Mining Chevrolet
15. 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
16. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's / Kobalt Tools Chevrolet
17. 22 Kurt Busch Shell Pennzoil Dodge
18. 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota
19. 84 Cole Whitt Red Bull Racing Toyota
20. 7 Robby Gordon SPEED Energy / MAPEI Dodge
21. 51 Landon Cassill Phoenix Construction Chevrolet
22. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Retro Diet Mt. Dew / National Guard Chevrolet
23. 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet
24. 46 Scott Speed Green Stuff Absorbent Ford
25. 20 Joey Logano The Home Depot Toyota
26. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
27. 29 Kevin Harvick Budweiser Chevrolet
28. 33 Clint Bowyer USO / Cheerios / Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
29. 16 Greg Biffle 3M / Meguiar's Ford
30. 39 Ryan Newman U.S. Army Veterans Day Chevrolet
31. 47 Bobby Labonte Wounded Warrior / Clorox / Kleenex Toyota
32. 87 Joe Nemechek AM FM Energy Pellet & Wood Stoves Toyota
33. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Freight Toyota
34. 18 Kyle Busch Interstate Batteries Toyota
35. 66 Michael McDowell HP Racing Toyota
36. 37 Mike Skinner MaxQ Motorsports Ford
37. 55 Travis Kvapil Aloft Hotels Ford
38. 13 Casey Mears GEICO Toyota
39. 32 Mike Bliss Veterans United Home Loans Ford
40. 36 Geoffrey Bodine Luke & Associates Inc. Chevrolet
41. 38 J J Yeley Vampt Ford
42. 34 David Gilliland Aloft Hotels Ford
43. 35 Dave Blaney Golden Corral Chevrolet

Martin Captures Talladega Sprint Cup Race Pole

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR

A wide-open 2011 NASCAR Chase and a track known for unpredictable auto action, the NASCAR Sprint Cup teams revisit the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway. While qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Good Sam Club 500 is not an incredibly important ingredient to victory at the restrictor plate race track, a top starting spot improves the options early for drivers and teams.

Drawing 42nd of the 47 cars qualifying, Mark Martin's and #5 GoDaddy.com Chevy swept past his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson for the top spot. Lapping the 2.66-mile superspeedway oval at 181.367 miles per hour, this pole at Talladega becomes Martin's 50th in his NASCAR Sprint Cup career and first since the 2010 Daytona 500. A track Martin himself called "The Lottery", the Talladega Superspeedway race for the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule his entire Hendrick Motorsports team is starting where the team left off following the spring event. With Martin and the #48 Chevy of Johnson on the front row, the remaining two cars of Hendrick Motorsports rests in the third row. Jeff Gordon starting 5th and Dale Earnhardt Jr in the field 6th, the four-car Chevrolet team is certified to be a race contender this fall event.

In the second row between Hendrick Motorsports cars, the #33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet of Clint Bowyer along with the 2011 Daytona 500 winning combination of Trevor Bayne and the #21 Wood Brothers Ford collected mounted successful qualifying attempts for top starting positions. In 7th through 10th place starting the Good Sam Club 500 at Talladega Superspeedway will be Paul Menard, David Ragan, Carl Edwards and Ryan Newman.

As the halfway point for the 2011 NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup, Carl Edwards leads by 5 points over Kevin Harvick and 7 points ahead of Roush Fenway Racing driver Matt Kenseth. While Edwards starts in the top-10 in his #99 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, his teammate Matt Kenseth's #17 car rolls off 11th while the #29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet of Kevin Harvick starts 13th at Talladega. Fourth in points, Kyle Busch starts well in the back of the 43-car field for what was a lackluster qualifying for the entire Joe Gibbs Racing team. While Denny Hamlin will lead the Toyota squad from 31st place in the Good Sam Club 500, Kyle Busch starts 34th just ahead of Joey Logano. Expect these cars to work together on their way to the front at Talladega Superspeedway

Weeks before Talladega, NASCAR announced a series of rule changes designed to lessen the use of the "two-car tandem" where a pair of vehicles are engaged in aggressive drafting. A new restrictor plate increasing power by up to an estimated 10 horsepower, NASCAR also prevented teams from using anti-friction lubricants on the race car's bumper. Some teams, namely the Richard Childress Racing organization, concocted alternative methods of 'greasing' the bumpers by using slippery tape and adhesives.

The fifth race remaining in the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, the Good Sam Club 500 at Talladega Superspeedway is set to start Sunday at 2 PM Eastern time. Weather forecasts call for a warm and partly sunny day.

2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Good Sam Club 500
Talladega Superspeedway
Starting Line-up

1. 5 Mark Martin GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
2. 48 Jimmie Johnson mylowes Chevrolet
3. 33 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet 100 Years Chevrolet
4. 21 Trevor Bayne Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford
5. 24 Jeff Gordon Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet
6. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Diet Mountain Dew Paint the 88/National Guard Chevrolet
7. 27 Paul Menard Serta/Menards Chevrolet
8. 6 David Ragan UPS My Choice Ford
9. 99 Carl Edwards Subway Ford
10. 39 Ryan Newman U.S. ARMY Chevrolet
11. 17 Matt Kenseth Jeremiah Weed Ford
12. 14 Tony Stewart El Monterey/Office Depot Chevrolet
13. 29 Kevin Harvick Jimmy John's Chevrolet
14. 22 Kurt Busch Shell Pennzoil Dodge
15. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Energizer Chevrolet
16. 2 Brad Keselowski Miller Lite Dodge
17. 38 Travis Kvapil Long John Silver's Ford
18. 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford
19. 9 Marcos Ambrose Stanley Ford
20. 97 Kevin Conway Extenze Toyota
21. 47 Bobby Labonte Scott Products Toyota
22. 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Chevrolet
23. 15 Michael Waltrip Aaron's/Darrell Waltrip NASCAR Hall of Fame Toyota
24. 43 AJ Allmendinger Best Buy Ford
25. 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
26. 4 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota
27. 87 Joe Nemechek AM/FM Energy Pellet & Wood Stoves Toyota
28. 55 JJ Yeley Front Row Motorsports Ford
29. 66 Michael McDowell HP Racing, LLC Toyota
30. 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota
31. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Office Toyota
32. 32 Terry Labonte C&J Energy Ford
33. 71 Andy Lally TRG Motorsports Ford
34. 18 Kyle Busch M&M's Halloween Toyota
35. 20 Joey Logano The Home Depot Toyota
36. 0 David Reutimann Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
37. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
38. 51 Landon Cassill Phoenix Construction/Thank A Teacher Today Chevrolet
39. 7 Robby Gordon SPEED Energy/MAPEI Dodge
40. 35 Geoffrey Bodine Luke & Associates Inc. Chevrolet
41. 1 Jamie McMurray Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet
42. 34 David Gilliland World Hunger Relief/www.fromhungertohope.com Ford
43. 36 Dave Blaney Golden Corral Chevrolet
44. 46 Scott Speed Red Line Ford
45. 77 TJ Bell TRG Motorsports Ford
46. 37 Josh Wise Bradley University Ford
47. 13 Casey Mears GEICO Toyota

Ryan Newman Starts on Pole for New Hampshire Cup Race

Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

A reintroduction to flat, short track racing, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is set to compete on the smallest track since Dover in May. The 1.058-mile oval of New Hampshire Motor Speedway hosts its first of two races in 2011 for North America's premier stock car racing organization.

In qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Newman piloted the #39 Stewart/Haas Racing Chevrolet to his 5th pole at the race track. Team owner Tony Stewart will start alongside Newman in the #14 Chevy. The NASCAR Sprint Cup race team is still seeking their first win for the 2011 season. In the second row, David Reutimann's #00 Toyota and the #22 Dodge of Kurt Busch line up for Sunday's race in Loudon.

2010 winners at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway start reasonably down on the grid for the Lenox Industrial Tools 301 race. Recording the 12th fastest time in qualifying Friday the #33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Clint Bowyer is still hunting his first win of the 2011 season. Past winner of the early summer event Jimmie Johnston is starting well down in 28th spot.

The New Hampshire Motor Speedway was the scene of Ryan Newman's first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory in 2002. That year driving for Penske Racing through his first season, Newman's momentum from the New Hampshire race win allowed the Indiana native to beat Jimmie Johnson for Rookie of the Year.

While qualifying position is important at New Hampshire, 8 of the 32 previous NASCAR Sprint Cup races held at the oval were won by a driver who started outside of the top-20. Closing from the deepest position of 38th place to win in July of 1999 was Jeff Burton.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup's Lenox Industrial Tools 301 race is scheduled for 1 pm eastern time on Sunday.


2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Starting Line-up

1. 39 Ryan Newman U.S. Army Chevrolet
2. 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet
3. 00 David Reutimann Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
4. 22 Kurt Busch Shell/Pennzoil Dodge
5. 2 Brad Keselowski Miller Lite Dodge
6. 31 Jeff Burton Catepillar Chevrolet
7. 24 Jeff Gordon Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet
8. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
9. 27 Paul Menard Richmond/Menards Chevrolet Chevrolet
10. 4 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota
11. 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Chevrolet
12. 33 Clint Bowyer Good Sam/Cheerios Chevrolet
13. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Toyota
14. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Freight Toyota
15. 99 Carl Edwards Ortho Home Defense Ford
16. 20 Joey Logano Home Depot Toyota
17. 43 A J Allmendinger Best Buy Ford
18. 29 Kevin Harvick Budweiser Chevrolet
19. 18 Kyle Busch Interstate Batteries Toyota
20. 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford
21. 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota
22. 9 Marcos Ambrose DeWALT Ford
23. 47 Bobby Labonte Capital Window/CapWinFund.com Toyota
24. 5 Mark Martin Godaddy.com Chevrolet 
25. 1 Jamie McMurray Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet
26. 6 David Ragan UPS Ford
27. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet
28. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet
29. 30 David Stremme Inception Racing Chevrolet
30. 17 Matt Kenseth Affliction Clothing Ford
31. 13 Casey Mears GEICO Toyota
32. 51 Landon Cassill Security Benefit/Thank A Teacher Today Chev
33. 66 Michael McDowell HP Racing LLC Toyota
34. 34 David Gilliland Front Row Motorsports Ford
35. 87 Joe Nemechek AMFMEnergy.com Toyota
36. 55 Jeff Green Front Row Motorsports Ford
37. 36 Dave Blaney Golden Corral Chevrolet
38. 38 J J Yeley Long John Silver's Ford
39. 60 Mike Skinner Big Red Toyota
40. 46 Erik Darnell Red Line Chevrolet
41. 32 Mike Bliss Starrett Ford
42. 7 Scott Wimmer SPEED Energy Dodge
43. 71 Andy Lally Interstate Moving Services Ford

Video of Friday's NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Qualifying at 2011 Honda Indy Toronto

Kyle Busch's Practice Speed Wins Pole at Kentucky

Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR

A predictable outcome for Friday's NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying at Kentucky Speedway resulted in the #18 M&M Toyota of Kyle Busch starting on the pole for the inaugural race on the 1.5 mile speedway. However, the predictability was not because the Joe Gibbs Racing driver (who came from back in the field to win Thursday's Camping World Truck Series race) fast outings on track throughout the weekend. Rather, the forecast fall of rain showers washed out the qualifying session for Saturday night's Quaker State 400. Under NASCAR's new-for-2011 using practice times instead of car owner points as the primary way to set race fields, Kyle Busch's 182.803 mile per hour time in the final practice session clinched the top spot when rain washed out the Kentucky Speedway. By virtue of their fast practice times, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson fills out the top-5 starting positions for the first Kentucky Speedway event with NASCAR Sprint Cup series.

As 48 cars would have vyed for the 43 starting spots through the time trial session, some cars were favoured entry into the Quaker State 400 as a result of qualifying attempts made by a car throughout the 2011 season. Solidifying Joe Nemechek's #87 Toyota, the #60 Toyota driven by Mike Skinner and Travis Kvapil's #38 Ford in the race field at Kentucky Speedway, the rain robbed an opportunity for other drivers. The most significant driver missing out on the Quaker State 400 is Michael Waltrip. The home state for theWaltrip brothers Michael as well as his three-time Cup champion driver Darrell, the first Kentucky Speedway Sprint Cup event will not have the famous racing family represented in the 43-car field.

NASCAR Sprint Cup regular Robby Gordon has also missed the chance to compete with his #77 car at the Quaker State 400 due to the wet track. Though Robby Gordon did not make it into the race, the #7 Dodge owned by the driver will start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Kentucky event in the hands of Scott Wimmer. TJ Bell, David Stremme and David Starr have into been forced to call their weekend's short without attempting a qualifying run.  



2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Quaker State 400
Sparta, Kentucky

1. 18 Kyle Busch M&M's Toyota
2. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
3. 22 Kurt Busch Shell/Pennzoil Dodge
4. 4 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota
5. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet
6. 2 Brad Keselowski Miller Lite Dodge
7. 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Ford
8. 6 David Ragan UPS Ford
9. 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet
10. 27 Paul Menard Sylvania/Menards Chevrolet
11. 9 Marcos Ambrose Porter-Cable Ford
12. 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Chevrolet
13. 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Ford
14. 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet
15. 20 Joey Logano Home Depot Toyota
16. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Good To Go Toyota
17. 0 David Reutimann TUMS Toyota
18. 39 Ryan Newman Tornados Chevrolet
19. 29 Kevin Harvick Budweiser Chevrolet
20. 33 Clint Bowyer Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
21. 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford
22. 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
23. 43 A J Allmendinger Valvoline Ford
24. 47 Bobby Labonte Cottonelle Clean Care Toyota
25. 13 Casey Mears GEICO Toyota
26. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Ground Toyota
27. 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota
28. 5 Mark Martin Quaker State/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
29. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Diet Mountain Dew/National Guard Chevrolet
30. 51 Landon Cassill Security Benefits/Thank A Teacher Today
31. 87 Joe Nemechek NEMCO Motorsports Toyota
32. 36 Dave Blaney Big Red Chevrolet
33. 60 Mike Skinner Big Red Toyota
34. 1 Jamie McMurray McDonald's Chevrolet
35. 34 David Gilliland Taco Bell Ford
36. 46  J J Yeley Red Line Chevrolet
37. 38  Travis Kvapil Long John Silver's Ford
38. 66 Michael McDowell Standard Publishing/Relentless Hope Toyota
39. 71 Andy Lally # Cool Works Cup Ford
40. 81 Scott Riggs Whitney'sCollision.com Chevrolet
41. 37 Tony Raines Front Row Motorsports Ford
42. 32 Mike Bliss Big Red Ford
43. 7 Scott Wimmer SPEED Energy Dodge

 

Kurt Busch Bashes to Third-Straight Cup Pole at Michigan

Photo Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images

 

The last of the 46 cars to attempt a qualifying run for the Heluva Good Sour Cream Dips 400, Kurt Busch piloted the #22 Pennzoil Dodge to his third-straight pole on the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup tour. Achieving the top spot in qualifying with a time of 38.156 second run, Busch's result stood the test of David Reutimann's effort in the Michael Waltrip Racing #00 Toyota. Extending his recent pole-streak, Kurt Busch also repeats as lead qualifier in the spring race at Michigan.

 

Outside of the top-10, 2008 race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr starts 15th with his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Earnhardt Jr actually led the whole Hendrick Motorsports team as Mark Martin will start 19th, Jimmie Johnson 21st and the #24 car of Jeff Gordon will be taking the green flag in 31st spot.

 

Another notable driver out of the top-10 in qualifying at Michigan International Speedway is the NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader. The Roush Fenway driver Carl Edwards starts 23rd at Michigan positioned differently to the beginning of last week's race at Pocono. Having a 40-point point deteriorate to just a 4-point interval over Jimmie Johnson, #99 Ford of Edwards suffered a rare drivetrain issue. Carl Edwards has two wins in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series at Michigan

 

Prior to Kurt Busch's pole lap, the biggest news in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage at Michigan International Speedway has been situated on Joe Gibbs Racing attracting the ire of the sanctioning body's scrutinizing. On Friday, oil pans from the team's three Toyotas (the #11, #18 and #20) were confiscated in pre-practice inspection. In qualifying, Denny Hamlin was the highest-qualifying member of Joe Gibbs Racing stable with his #11 Fed Ex Toyota. Kyle Busch starts 24th while Joy Logano in the #20 car will start on the tail end of the 43-car field due to an engine change made after the Toyota's race motor expired on Friday. 

 

The closest race to the Motor City of Detroit, qualifying gave a reason for Chevrolet and Ford to be somewhat worried. Four Toyota Camrys entered the top-10 with Chevrolet Impalas taking three spots and two positions belonging to Ford Fusion race cars. Kurt Busch was the only Dodge in the top-36 for the Heluva Good Sour Cream Dips 400. 

 

The NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the 2-mile Michigan International Speedway will start at 1:00pm Eastern time.

 

 

Starting Lineup

NASCAR Sprint Cup

Heluva Good Sour Cream Dips 400

Michigan International Speedway

1. 22 Kurt Busch Shell/Pennzoil Dodge
2. 00 David Reutimann Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
3. 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Ford
4. 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota
5. 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
6. 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet
7. 16 Greg Biffle Red Cross/3M Ford
8. 4 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota
9. 27 Paul Menard Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Chevrolet
10. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Office Toyota
11. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
12. 51 Landon Cassill Security Benefits/ThankATeacherToday Chevrolet
13. 39 Ryan Newman USArmy236Bday/BMooreNASCARHOF Chevrolet
14. 1 Jamie McMurray McDonald's Chevrolet
15. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet
16. 47 Bobby Labonte RainEater/Advance Auto Parts Toyota
17. 21 Trevor Bayne Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford
18. 9 Marcos Ambrose DeWalt Ford
19. 5 Mark Martin GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
20. 6 David Ragan UPS Ford
21. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's/KOBALT Tools Chevrolet
22. 29 Kevin Harvick Budweiser Chevrolet
23. 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Now Hiring Ford
24. 18 Kyle Busch Snickers Toyota
25. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Cars 2 Chevrolet
26. 43 A J Allmendinger Best Buy Ford
27. 33 Clint Bowyer Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet
28. 38 Travis Kvapil Fellowship of Christian Athletes Ford
29. 87 Joe Nemechek NEMCO Motorsports Toyota
30. 20 Joey Logano Home Depot Toyota
31. 24 Jeff Gordon Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet
32. 30 David Stremme Inception Racing Chevrolet
33. 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
34. 46 J J Yeley Red Line Chevrolet
35. 32 Mike Bliss bluCigs Ford
36. 71 Andy Lally TRG Motorsports Ford
37. 7 Robby Gordon SPEED Energy/Walgreens Dodge
38. 66 Michael McDowell HP Racing LLC Toyota
39. 13 Casey Mears GEICO Toyota
40. 34 David Gilliland Taco Bell Ford
41. 2 Brad Keselowski Miller Lite Dodge
42. 36 Dave Blaney Golden Corral/GetAuctionAccess.com Chevrolet
43. 81 Scott Riggs Whitney's Collision.com Chevrolet

Juan-Pablo Montoya Claims Richmond Pole

Photo Credit: John Harrelson/ Getty Images for NASCAR

Into the late stage of Friday afternoon qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway, Juan Pablo Montoya captured his 2nd pole position of 2011. Wheeling his Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing's #42 Chevrolet around the 0.75-mile short oval in 20.989 seconds, Montoya outpaced the Furniture Row #78 Chevy of Regan Smith by roughly 14/100ths of a second. On the second row is the Richard Childress Racing #33 of Clint Bowyer accompanied with the #4 Toyota of Kasey Kahne. Mark Martin in the #5 Chevrolet rounds out the top-5 for the 400-mile event.

The time trials for the CROWN ROYAL Presents The Matthew & Daniel Hansen 400 at Richmond was highly beneficial to Chevrolet teams. Five of the top-six qualifers for Saturday night's event were Chevrolet Impalas with the Red Bull Toyota of Kasey Kahne becoming the only non-General Motors team to break into the grouping. Chevrolet vehicles had dominated the Richmond short track from 2006 to 2008 until the recent success of Joe Gibbs Racing-fielded Toyota Camrys. For the past two spring races at Richmond International Raceway, Kyle Busch celebrated in victory lane. Busch will start 20th on Saturday night with his teammate Denny Hamlin starting 11th. Winning late summer events at the track in 2009 and 2010, Hamlin was also won the Friday night NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Richmond.

The CROWN ROYAL Presents The Matthew & Daniel Hansen 400 starts at 7:30 pm Eastern time on Saturday night.



NASCAR Sprint Cup
Richmond International Raceway
CROWN ROYAL Presents The Matthew & Daniel Hansen 400

Qualifying Results
 

1. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
2. 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Chevrolet
3. 33 Clint Bowyer BB&T Chevrolet
4. 4 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota
5. 5 Mark Martin GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
6. 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet
7. 2 Brad Keselowski Miller Lite Dodge
8. 99 Carl Edwards Scotts eZ Seed Ford
9. 20 Joey Logano The Home Depot Toyota
10. 27 Paul Menard Libman / Menards Chevrolet
11. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Freight Toyota
12. 29 Kevin Harvick Budweiser Chevrolet
13. 39 Ryan Newman U.S. Army Medicine Chevrolet
14. 47 Bobby Labonte Kingsford / Bush's Toyota
15. 13 Casey Mears GEICO Toyota
16. 30 David Stremme EchoStor Technologies Chevrolet
17. 1 Jamie McMurray McDonald's Chevrolet
18. 43 A J Allmendinger Nautica Ford
19. 00 David Reutimann Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
20. 18 Kyle Busch M&M's Pretzel Toyota
21. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
22. 66 Michael McDowell K Love Toyota
23. 23 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford
24. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. National Guard / AMP Energy Chevrolet
25. 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
26. 87 Joe Nemechek AM FM Energy.com Pellet & Wood Stoves
27. 27 6 David Ragan UPS Ford
28. 38 Travis Kvapil Long John Silver's Ford
29. 36 Dave Blaney Golden Corral Chevrolet
30. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet
31. 14 Tony Stewart Mobil 1 / Office Depot Chevrolet
32. 60 Mike Skinner Big Red Toyota
33. 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Ford
34. 09 Landon Cassill Security Benefit / Thank a Teacher Today 
35. 9 Marcos Ambrose DeWalt Ford
36. 22 Kurt Busch Shell / Pennzoil Dodge 
37. 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota
38. 32 Ken Schrader H&B Railroad / FAS Lane Racing Ford
39. 34 David Gilliland Gander Mountain Ford
40. 46 J J Yeley Red Line Oil Chevrolet
41. 71 Andy Lally # Interstate Moving Services Ford
42. 7 Robby Gordon Fast Five / Speed Energy Dodge
43. 37 Tony Raines Front Row Motorsports Ford

  

Did Not Qualify: # 92 Brian Keselowski #.

Montoya Targets Talladega Pole for AMP Energy 500

Jason Smith/ Getty images for NASCAR

Drawing an early run through afternoon time trials, Juan Pablo Montoya placed the #42 Target-sponsored Chevrolet on pole for Sunday's AMP Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Only the 6th car set to take the track, Montoya's Earnhardt-Childress Racing (ECR) Engine benefited with the earlier, cooler conditions to circulate around the 2.66 mile tri-oval in 51.863 seconds or 184.640 miles per hour. Undefeated in competition on NASCAR Sprint Cup restrictor plate races this season, the ECR engine program has yet another reason to celebrate as Montoya and Richard Childress Racing's #33 Chevrolet of Clint Bowyer occupy the front row.

Kurt Busch provided a strong run for the 3rd fastast run in qualifying with his Penske Racing #2 Dodge while Joe Nemecheck provides a minor surprise by rushing his #87 Toyota into 4th place. Saying it's a minor surprise, it is typical on restrictor plate tracks that smaller, underfunded teams like Nemechek's independent effort will take measures to add horsepower which is inadvisable but worthwhile in gaining a higher field presence in the race. Several other cars including the #36 Chevrolet of Tommy Baldwin Racing, the #13 Germain Racing Toyota, a second Nemechek #97 Toyota and the #46 Chevy owned by Dusty Whitney are shaped within the top-15 of the AMP Energy 500.

In relations to the ever-more important Chase for the Sprint Cup as only 3 races remain after Talladega, the top-two drivers in points have taken conservative runs through superspeedway qualifying. Denny Hamlin qualified 17th while Jimmie Johnson is 19th. For the #11 Toyota of Hamlin, his starting spot is the highest for the Joe Gibbs Racing team with Joey Logano placing 25th and Kyle Busch buried early in 32rd spot. In the Hendrick Motorsports stable, Jeff Gordon as well as Mark Martin will start just ahead of Kyle Busch's #18 Toyota in 30th and 31st positions. From the drop of the green flag, revered but embattled superspeedway driver Dale Earnhardt Jr #88 Chevy team leads the Hendrick drivers with a 6th place result after qualifying.



While speeds have been contained under the 185-mile per hour range for single-car qualifying, practice speeds in multiple-vehicle drafting conditions have seen NASCAR Sprint Cup cars flying more than 12 miles per hour faster.

Talladega Superspeedway, the 2.66 mile tri-oval is immediately going allow drivers to gain considerable ground within a span of a single lap. Conversely, the track also presents NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers an invitation to make a smallest mistake which will either cost positions or even their race car. The 'Big Wreck' is always a high probability at Talladega and been known to change everything. Drivers in tight points battles inside and outside of the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup will be on edge for 188 laps Sunday.


2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
AMP Energy 500
Talladega Superspeedway
October 30, 2010

Starting Lineup:

1. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
2. 33 Clint Bowyer BB&T Chevrolet
3. 2 Kurt Busch Operation Home Front/Miller Lite Dodge
4. 87 Joe Nemechek Gator.com Toyota
5. 31 Jeff Burton Cat Financial Chevrolet
6. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. LgndofHllwdegaAMPEnrgyJuice/NtnlGrd Chev
7. 36 Dave Blaney Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet
8. 39 Ryan Newman U.S. ARMY Chevrolet
9. 13 Casey Mears GEICO Toyota 
10. 77 Sam Hornish Jr. Mobil 1 Dodge
11. 12 Brad Keselowski No. 12 Penske Dodge
12. 1 Jamie McMurray Bass Pro Shops Tribute Chevrolet
13. 97 Jeff Fuller HeatRedefined.com Toyota 
14. 29 Kevin Harvick Realtree/Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet
15. 46 Michael McDowell Whitney's Collision Centers Chevrolet 
16. 83 Kasey Kahne Red Bull Toyota
17. 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Freight Toyota 
18. 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Toyota
19. 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet
20. 55 Michael Waltrip Aaron's 55th Anniversary Toyota 
21. 00 David Reutimann Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
22. 71 Chad McCumbee TRG Motorsports/ModSpace Chevrolet 
23. 99 Carl Edwards Subway Ford
24. 09 Bobby Labonte Komatsu/TEC Chevrolet 
25. 20 Joey Logano Home Depot Toyota
26. 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet
27. 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Black Ford
28. 6 David Ragan UPS Ford
29. 82 Scott Speed Red Bull Toyota
30. 5 Mark Martin GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
31. 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont/National Guard Chevrolet
32. 18 Kyle Busch M&M's Toyota
33. 19 Elliott Sadler Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford
34. 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford
35. 47 Marcos Ambrose Kleenex/Clorox Toyota
36. 43 A J Allmendinger Valvoline Ford 
37.  9 Aric Almirola Budweiser Ford
38. 98 Paul Menard Serta/Menards Ford
39. 78 Regan Smith Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
40. 37 David Gilliland Taco Bell Ford
41. 34 Robert Richardson Jr. A&W All American Food Ford 
42.  7 Robby Gordon Speed Energy Toyota
43. 26 Bill Elliott Air Guard Ford

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

Johnson Bottles Up the White Lightning Qualifying at Bristol

Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images

In preparations for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Friday qualifying saw Jimmie Johnson delivered fastest time with a winning run of 15.540 seconds to eclipse Carl Edward's Ford for the Irwin Tools Night Race. With Johnson taking his 2nd pole of 2010 in the #48 Lowes Chevy, the Hendrick Motorsports driver returns to the track where is he rolled to victory in the spring. As Johnson and Edwards rule the front row, Joey Logano and Tony Stewart ran qualifying efforts tight with each other's time to occupy the second row.

Through the early part of the session several top teams encountered difficulty mounting a significant timed run. Including the #24 Hendrick Motorsports effort of Jeff Gordon who spun during this qualifying run. Another slow effort resulted from the championship point-leading effort of #29 Richard Childress Racing Chevy driven by Kevin Harvick, both cars will start in the high-20s for Saturday's night race. Later qualifying order draws for Jimmie Johnson as well as Carl Edwards apparently could have contributed to their pace-setting runs.

The most antipicated race heading into the final Chase eligibility race at Richmond International Raceway, the short track of Bristol fast speeds within close quarters leaves many drivers and teams on edge. Because of Bristol Motor Speedway's short 0.533 mile distance, under 16 second lap times mean the margin of error would be incredibly narrow. A cut tire or a slow race stint will cost a team several laps to the lead pack. With positions counting for evermore valuable points, one miscue by a Chase contending team could throw a giant Monkey wrench into their 2010 chances for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.


2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Irwin Tools Night Race
Qualifying Order

Top-10

1) 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet
2) 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Ford
3) 20 Joey Logano Home Depot Toyota
4) 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot / Old Spice Chevrolet
5) 00 David Reutimann Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
6) 39 Ryan Newman Wix Filters Chevrolet
7) 1 Jamie McMurray Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet
8) 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
9) 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
10) 43 A J Allmendinger Valvoline Ford


Other Notables

11) 9 Kasey Kahne Budweiser Ford
13) 5 Mark Martin CARQUEST Auto Parts Chevrolet
14) 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Black Ford
16) 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
17) 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Ground Toyota
19) 18 Kyle Busch Doublemint Toyota
20) 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite / Vortex Dodge
26) 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet
27) 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. AMP Energy / National Guard Chevrolet
28) 29 Kevin Harvick Shell / Pennzoil Chevrolet

Tony Stewart starts on Pocono Sprint Cup Race Pole

Photo Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR

One week following an interesting Brickyard 400 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the NASCAR Sprint Cup series takes on another 2.5 mile track in the form of the triangular-shaped Pocono Raceway.

Through Friday afternoon qualifying for the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 saw driver/owner Tony Stewart sailing his Chevrolet on to the pole for Sunday's event. Taking top spot at 171.393 miles per hour for the his 2nd pole of 2010, driver Stewart remains winless after 20 races. The Pocono qualifying session proved strong for the Stewart/Haas team as Ryan Newman placed the organization's #39 Chevrolet into 5th on the starting grid.

Starting second, Juan Pablo Montoya rolls into this weekend with some popular scars from the past race at Indy. With a car to beat at the historic track, a mistake in pit strategy and a late race crash which collected Dale Earnhardt Jr saw the #42 Target Chevy of Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing end in the garage. The intense Montoya secluded himself immediately following his car's retirement from the Brickyard 400 but he returns to Pocono hungry for his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup win on an oval.

With less of a trouble finding victory lane, Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin has five wins in the #20 FedEx Toyota including the NASCAR Sprint Cup's June event at Pocono. Hamlin will be starting the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 in 3rd spot ahead of Jeff Gordon, Newman and Jimmie Johnson.

NASCAR Sprint Cup's Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 is planned to receive its command to start engines at 1 P.M. Eastern time. However, weather forecasts are threatening the Long Pond, Pennsylvania track race Sunday. A 60% chance of thunderstorms exist in the area according to the Weather Channel.

Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500

NASCAR Sprint Cup
Pocono Raceway

1) 14 Tony Stewart Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet
2) 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
3) 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Office Toyota
4) 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet
5) 39 Ryan Newman U.S.Army Chevrolet
6) 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet
7) 43 A J Allmendinger Insignia HDTV Ford
8) 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
9) 1 Jamie McMurray AXE Twist Chevrolet
10) 5 Mark Martin Hendrickcars.com / GoDaddy.com Chevrolet


Other Notables

13) 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite / Vortex Dodge
14) 29 Kevin Harvick Shell / Pennzoil Chevrolet
17) 20 Joey Logano Home Depot Toyota
20) 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. AMP Energy / National Guard Chevrolet
21) 18 Kyle Busch M&M's Toyota
40) 33 Clint Bowyer The Hartford Chevrolet

Juan Montoya Takes Sprint Cup Race Pole for New Hampshire

Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR

Providing the scene for the shortest oval race on the NASCAR Sprint
Cup calendar, the New Hampshire International Speedway plays host to the Lenox
Industrial Tools 301.

Drawing a late qualifying attempt proved most valuable on the
Friday qualifying session as Juan Pablo Montoya's #42 Target
Chevy outmatched the #2 Miller Lite Dodge of Kurt Busch to take
pole for Sunday's race at the 'Magic Mile'. Clocking a lap of
28.781 seconds, Montoya drew 29th and eventual front row companion
Kasey Kahne in his Budweiser Ford beat the Busch's Dodge with
an even later qualifying run. Proving a benefit for drivers who
had to wait within the time trial session, drivers like Tony
Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch seemingly
lost out due to being first on track. Not one driver from the
first 15 qualifying attempts are found within the top-10 of
the Lenox Industrial Tools 301.

As of this week, Reed Sorenson takes over the #83 Red Bull Toyota.
In a press statement issued mid last week, Team Red Bull Jay Frye
provided news of the second driver change for the #83 since Brian
Vickers has been sidelined. “Our unique situation has afforded us
the opportunity to try some different things, and we’re continuing
to do that with Reed,” Frye said while voicing his gratitude for
Casey Mears' efforts starting May at Dover Speedway. Ending up 29th
through their first qualifying effort together, the young Sorenson
will be eager to make up ground on Sunday.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup New Hampshire's Lenox Industrial Tools 301
will receive its scheduled green flag on Sunday at 1:30 P.M.



2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup

Lenox Industrial Tools 301 

Qualifying Results


Pos   | Car #  | Driver     |   Sponsor/Car Make

1) 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
2) 9 Kasey Kahne         Budweiser Ford
3) 2 Kurt Busch       Miller Lite Dodge
4) 5 Mark Martin      CARQUEST / GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
5) 39 Ryan Newman      Haas Automation Chevrolet
6) 00 David Reutimann   Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
7) 87 Joe Nemechek     NEMCO Motorsports Toyota
8) 77 Sam Hornish Jr.  AAA / Go Penske Dodge
9) 33 Clint Bowyer     Zaxby's / Cheerios Chevrolet
10) 48 Jimmie Johnson   Lowe's Chevrolet
11) 20 Joey Logano      Home Depot Toyota
12) 47 Marcos Ambrose   Lance / Tom's Mega Twisters Toyota
13) 98 Paul Menard      Energizer / Menards Ford
14) 12 Brad Keselowski  AAA Insurance / Go Penske Dodge
15) 82 Scott Speed      Red Bull Toyota
16) 24 Jeff Gordon      DuPont Chevrolet
17) 31 Jeff Burton      LENOX Industrial Tools Chevrolet
18) 78 Regan Smith      Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
19) 6 David Ragan       UPS Ford
20) 11 Denny Hamlin     FedEx Freight Toyota
21) 99 Carl Edwards     Aflac Ford
22) 18 Kyle Busch       Interstate Batteries Toyota
23) 36 Casey Mears      MOHAWK Northeast, Inc. Chevrolet
24) 29 Kevin Harvick    Shell / Pennzoil Chevrolet
25) 14 Tony Stewart     Old Spice / Office Depot Chevrolet
26) 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota
27) 1 Jamie McMurray    Suave Chevrolet
28) 43 A J Allmendinger Berlin City Auto Group Ford
29) 83 Reed Sorenson    Red Bull ToyToyota
30) 19 Elliott Sadler   Stanley Ford
31) 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. National Guard / AMP Energy Chevrolet
32) 13 Max Papis        GEICO Toyota
33) 17 Matt Kenseth     Diageo / Crown Royal Black Ford
34) 16 Greg Biffle      American Red Cross / 3M Ford
35) 46 J J Yeley        Whitney Motorsports Dodge
36) 66 Dave Blaney      PRISM Motorsports Toyota
37) 55 Michael McDowell PRISM Motorsports Toyota
38) 26 David Stremme    Air Guard / gtwgps.com Ford
39) 37 David Gilliland   Taco Bell Ford
40) 71 Andy Lally       TRG Motorsports Chevrolet
41) 34 Kevin Conway     Extenze Ford
42) 7 Bobby Labonte    SpeedFactory.TV Toyota
43)  64 Todd Bodine      Little Joe's Autos Toyota

Ryan Newman Soars to Coca-Cola 600 Pole at Charlotte

Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR

The site of Ryan Newman's first ever pole, the Indiana native again proved to have the magic touch during the NASCAR Sprint Cup's month of May festivities at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Taking his #39 US Army Chevrolet to his 6th pole for the Coca-Cola 600, Newman's top spot in qualifying will allow him to start his 9th NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Charlotte. However, despite mastering qualifying around the 1.5 mile oval, Ryan Newman has yet to win a points-paying Sprint Cup event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

While auto racing mogul Roger Penske will be able to relish the start of the 2010 Indy 500 with his team's driver Helio Castroneves starting from pole, Penske missed out on a sweep for poles in the two major Memorial Day weekend racing events. The Miller Lite #2 Dodge of Kurt Busch hunted past Penske Racing driver Ryan Newman thanks to a late qualifying draw. Carried on the momentum of last Saturday's Sprint All-Star race victory, Kurt Busch fast time was just 4/100ths of a second slower than his former teammate.

Like Kurt Busch, All-Star Showdown winner Martin Truex Jr set himself on a noble quest after a second pole following his fast time at Dover in the last NASCAR Sprint Cup points race. Performing well season-long in his first year with the #56 NAPA Toyota of Michael Waltrip Racing, Truex Jr and the team are finally getting sizable recognition for their 2010 efforts.

Rounding out the top-five in Coca-Cola 600 qualifying is the #9 Dodge of Kasey Kahne followed by his future teammate Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson in the the #48 Lowes Chevy sporting special Memorial Day weekend colours. With Martin Truex Jr mustering the best time from a Toyota Camry stock car with 3rd fastest speed, 6th through 9th place shows that Toyota is sporting a strong hand. Leading this group was winner of last year's rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 David Reutimann for Michael Waltrip Racing followed by the all three Joe Gibbs Racing cars. The #11 FedEx Toyota of Denny Hamlin led Joey Logano and Kyle Busch.

Anticipation for NASCAR's longest scheduled race will be accompanied with busy preparation for the #12 Penske Racing team. Brad Keselowski is being sent to a backup car after his primary Dodge race car made significant contact with the turn 4 wall of Charlotte.

The race commemorating the 50th year of the 600 mile event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the NASCAR Sprint Cup is scheduled for a 5:45 P.M. start time on Sunday
.

Coca-Cola 600 Qualifying
2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Charlotte Motor Speedway

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

1) 39 Ryan Newman      U.S Army Chevrolet
2) 2 Kurt Busch       Miller Lite / Vortex Dodge
3) 56 Martin Truex Jr. NAPA Batteries Toyota 
4) 9 Kasey Kahne      Budweiser / Armed Forces Tribute Ford 
5) 48 Jimmie Johnson   Lowe's Memorial Day Tribute Chevrolet
6) 00 David Reutimann   Aaron's / Armed Forces Foundation Toyota
7) 11 Denny Hamlin     FedEx Office Toyota
8) 20 Joey Logano      Home Depot Toyota
9) 18 Kyle Busch       M&M's Pretzel Toyota 
10) 33 Clint Bowyer     Cheerios / Hamburger Helper Chevrolet 
11) 5 Mark Martin      CARQUEST Auto Parts / GoDaddy.com
12) 31 Jeff Burton      Caterpillar Chevrolet 
13) 83 Casey Mears      Red Bull Toyota
14) 77 Sam Hornish Jr.   Mobil 1 Dodge 
15) 24 Jeff Gordon      DuPont Stars & Stripes Chevrolet 
16) 17 Matt Kenseth     Jeremiah Weed Ford
17) 66 Dave Blaney      PRISM Motorsports Toyota
18) 43 A J Allmendinger Best Buy Credit Card Ford 
19) 87 Joe Nemechek     NEMCO Motorsports Toyota 
20) 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
21) 82 Scott Speed      Red Bull Toyota 
22) 36 Johnny Sauter    Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet 
23) 29 Kevin Harvick    Shell / Pennzoil Chevrolet
24) 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Ntnl Guard Honoring Our Soldiers Chevrolet
25) 21 Bill Elliott     Motorcraft / Quick Lane Tire & Auto Ford
26) 14 Tony Stewart            Office Depot / Old Spice Chevrolet
27) 1 Jamie McMurray   Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet 
28) 37 David Gilliland  Taco Bell Ford 
29) 64 Todd Bodine      Little Joe's Auto Sales Toyota 
30) 55 Michael McDowell PRISM Motorsports Toyota
31) 99 Carl Edwards     Scotts GrubEx Ford 
32) 78 Regan Smith      Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet
33) 98 Paul Menard      Serta / Menards Ford
34) 47 Marcos Ambrose   Kingsford / Bush's Beans Toyota 
35) 6 David Ragan      UPS Ford
36) 7 Robby Gordon     Robby Gordon Motorsports Toyota
37) 12 Brad Keselowski  Penske Dodge
38) 71 Bobby Labonte    TRG Motorsports Chevrolet 
39) 19 Elliott Sadler   Air Force Ford
40) 16 Greg Biffle      3M Nexcare Products Ford 
41) 38 Travis Kvapil    Long John Silver's / Baja Fish Taco Ford
42) 34 Kevin Conway     Extenze Ford
43) 46 J J Yeley        Jake Owen Raborn Foundation Dodge

McMurray Snags Pole for Southern 500 for NASCAR Sprint Cup Race

Tom Whitmore/Getty Images for NASCAR

McMurray will start the new Mother's Day weekend classic Showtime Southern 500 on the pole Drawing 29th in the qualifying order, Jamie McMurray was lovin' the later draw to set fast lap on the 1.366 mile Darlington Raceway oval. Taking his 2nd pole of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, the other pole position for the #1 Chevrolet came at California's Auto Club Speedway following the Daytona 500 victory for the Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing team.

In the Past 5 years at Darlington, McMurray's best finish has been a 6th in 2005 when he last drove for Chip Ganassi/Sabates Racing. Back with essentially the same organization absorbed as Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing, Jamie McMurray will be joined by Jeff Gordon on the front row. The second row will feature two Toyota Camrys with Brian Vickers placing was #83 Red Bull car in 3rd and David Reutimann placing his #00 Toyota in 4th spot. The #5 Hendrick Motorsports car of Mark Martin completes the top-5 running order as the defending Showtime Southern 500 race winner from the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

Four drivers who experienced off-outings through the qualifying session at Darlington was the #48 Chevrolet Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch's #18 Toyota, Kevin Harvick in the #29 Chevrolet and the #99 Ford driven by Carl Edwards. Johnson could only place his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in 22rd place as the deepest starter within the superteam for the Showtime Southern 500. The points leader by only a small margin heading into Dalington, Kevin Harvick will once again this season face a deep grid position with 35th place. Like Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch will also be the anchor to his Joe Gibbs Racing team taking the green on Saturday starting 39th place. As for Carl Edwards, he will be taking a car owner points provisional starting spot after issues with his #99 Roush-Fenway Ford Fusion.

Referred to as 'The Lady in Black', Darlington Raceway requires drivers to address this figurative lady with respect. However, deserving serious respect through this weekend is certainly mothers. For many years, the entire Mother's Day weekend was kept clear of any scheduled NASCAR Cup Series races. That changed in 2005 when Darlington Raceway was given a Saturday night show when NASCAR probably realized that even mothers enjoy a Sprint Cup race. Of Course, Sunday is still reserved for personal Mother's Day activities so the entire race was a win-win.

Alongwith honouring mother's, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Southern 500 on Saturday night will also see some extra commendations go to rewarding the history of NASCAR. Threatening to be forgotten due to the increasing change sweeping through the sport, stock car's premier sanctioning will soon have a monument of their own to acknowledge their heritage. Set within the home base of most NASCAR race teams in Charlotte, the NASCAR Hall of Fame prepares to open on Tuesday, May 11th amidst the major festivities through the second half of May which includes the Sprint All-Star race and the Coke 600 on Memorial Day weekend. In recognition of one of the inaugural class' members, McMurray's #1 Chevrolet will carry the name of Bill France Jr on the rear clip for the Southern 500 at Darlington. Bill France Jr. is of course known not only as the son of the founder of NASCAR but the individual credited for the major advances of NASCAR through the final quarter of the 20th century.



Jason Smith/Getty Images

Since the Darlington Raceway has been playing host to the May night race, the 1.366 mile oval is earning a reputation as a real action track. In the past 5 events, there has been a minimum 23 lead changes per race with as many as 35 exchanges in 2008. This one race date for Darlington has also been renowned as being a sold-out event attracting a solid fan following from the South Carolina area.

The Showtime Southern 500 will receive the command to start engines at 7:30PM Eastern time Saturday night with the race's television broadcast live on Fox.


2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Showtime Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
Qualifying Order

Top 10

1) 1 Jamie McMurray McDonald's Chevrolet
2) 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont / National Guard Facebook Chevrolet
3) 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota
4) 00 David Reutimann Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota
5) 5 Mark Martin GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
6) 39 Ryan Newman Haas Automation Chevrolet
7) 47 Marcos Ambrose Kingsford / Scott Branded Products Toyota
8) 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Express Toyota
9) 12 Brad Keselowski Penske Dodge
10) 9 Kasey Kahne Budweiser Ford

Other Notables

11) 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet
12) 43 A J Allmendinger Insignia / Best Buy Ford
14) 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge
15) 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet
17) 16 Greg Biffle 3M Ford 27.620 178.045
19) 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. AMP Energy / National Guard Chevrolet
22) 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's Chevrolet
24) 14 Tony Stewart Old Spice / Office Depot Chevrolet
29) 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal Black Ford
35) 29 Kevin Harvick Shell / Pennzoil Chevrolet
39) 18 Kyle Busch Doublemint Toyota
41) 99 Carl Edwards Aflac Ford

Severe Weather Cancels All NASCAR acitivity at Talladega for Saturday

For the second straight weekend, a major NASCAR event has seen its Saturday festivities completely interrupted by rain showers. Unlike the situation at Texas, the stock car racing sanctioning body was reacting to a much more dangerous weather system which has the likelihood of thunderstorms of even the chance of stirring up tornadoes. Heeding to threats of severe weather, acting under the advisement of National Weather Service as well as the Talladega County Emergency Management Agency, NASCAR has elected to cancel qualifying for the Sprint Cup series Aaron's 499 and postpone the Aaron's 312 Nationwide Series event.

Using points to settle the NASCAR Sprint Cup field for tomorrow's Aaron's 499, 43 entrants were effortlessly placed in the race while 2 race teams and drivers were forced to go home early. The #35 Chevrolet of Aric Almirola and the #46 Dodge driven by Terry Cook packed their haulers and rolled out of the Talladega Superspeedway infield area. While Saturday is a bust, clear weather on Friday allowed teams to receive ample practice time to work on their race day setup.

With weather necessitating another double-header for the major NASCAR touring series on Sunday. The Aaron's 312 NASCAR Nationwide Series event will run following the Aaron's 499 Sprint Cup event. Fortunately for drivers and teams, tomorrow's weather forecast in Talladega is suggested to be partly sunny.

Tony Stewart Earns Long Overdue Pole Position at Texas

Photo Credit: NASCAR Media

Departing a three-race stretch which kept the NASCAR Sprint Cup season limited to tracks 1 mile and under, the stock car circuit enters the Lone Star state to compete on the ultra-fast Texas Motor Speedway.

Prepping for the Samsung Mobile 500, the Sprint Cup tour returns to the track which last season gave a slim chance for someone other than Jimmie Johnson to win the 2009 Sprint Cup championship. Now 2010, some NASCAR fans will probably be relishing a prospect that the 1.5 mile Texas Motor Speedway could curb Johnson and the #48 Chevrolet who has already enjoyed 3 wins in 7 races. Of course, providing competition for Johnson and Hendrick so far in this young 2010 season is the Penske Racing Dodge of Kurt Busch as well as the #17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford driven by Matt Kenseth.

With speeds averaging over 190 miles per hour guaranteed through qualifying, teams have been eagerly awaited the Texas race weekend as the true test for the rear spoiler configuration with the current spec Sprint Cup car. Whether stability and control will indeed improve racing will be demonstrated in Sunday's Samsung Mobile 500. However, Friday qualifying for the major NASCAR Sprint Cup event concentrates efforts for only 1 or a possible 2 lap run.

Triumphing in securing the top spot for the Samsung Mobile 500, the #14 Office Depot Chevrolet of Tony Stewart ran a top average speed of 191.327 miles per hour. Recorded as his first Sprint Cup series pole since the fall race at Martinsville in 2005, Stewart's last time starting 1st for a race occurred in a run to his 2nd NASCAR Cup Series championship. Comparing the 2010 qualifying effort to the fall of 2009 on the race track, the time was just 3/100ths of a second faster with the deck lid spoiler compared to a wing mount.

Starting beside the #14 Chevrolet of Stewart, Sam Hornish Jr #12 Dodge mustered a strong run in qualifying to secure the front row spot. While the presence of #12 Penske Racing Dodge in a front row starting position isn't a mainstay, it's interesting to note that Sam Hornish Jr has habitually found consistent qualifying speed at Texas Motor Speedway. Texas is tied for 2nd in his Sprint Cup career for average qualifying attempts.

Rounding out the top 5 for the Samsung Mobile 500 is the cars of Greg Biffle, Jimmie Johnson and this week's most talked about driver Kasey Kahne. A highlight from the NASCAR newswire has been the announcement that Kahne would be joining the mighty Hendrick Motorsports team in 2012. Determined to make the most from the majority of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule still yet to be run, Kahne's devotion is invested in the #9 Dodge of Richard Petty Motorsports.

Kyle Busch in the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing car is the highest qualifying Toyota for Sunday's race. Since the Toyota entered Sprint Cup racing in 2007, the Japanese auto company has yet to find victory lane at Texas Motor Speedway.

Amongst other notable drivers, Dale Earnhardt Jr will start 9th, Texas winner from last fall Kurt Busch starts 11th, Jeff Gordon anchors in 12th and 2nd place in Sprint Cup driver points Matt Kenseth will start deep in 28th place.

Samsung Mobile 500 Qualifying
2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Texas Motor Speedway

Top 10

1) 14 Tony Stewart        Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet
2) 77 Sam Hornish Jr.        Mobil 1 Dodge
3) 16 Greg Biffle        3M Post-it Ford
4) 48 Jimmie Johnson        Lowe's Chevrolet
5) 9 Kasey Kahne        Budweiser Ford
6) 31 Jeff Burton        Caterpillar Chevrolet
7) 18 Kyle Busch        Interstate Batteries Toyota
8) 33 Clint Bowyer        Cheerios/Hamburer Helper Chevrolet
9) 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.     AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet
10) 39 Ryan Newman        U.S. ARMY ROTC Chevrolet

Other Notables

11)      2 Kurt Busch       Miller Lite Dodge
12)     24 Jeff Gordon       DuPont/National Guard Special Forces
15)  1 Jamie McMurray       Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet
17) 43 A J Allmendinger      Insignia/Best Buy Ford
18) 20 Joey Logano       Home Depot Toyota
19) 29 Kevin Harvick       Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet
20) 99 Carl Edwards       Scotts Ford
21) 42 Juan Pablo Montoya    Target Chevrolet
27) 13 Max Papis       GEICO Toyota
28) 17 Matt Kenseth       Crown Royal Black Ford
29) 11 Denny Hamlin       FedEx Ground Toyota
30)      5 Mark Martin       Hendrickcars.com/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet
42) 83 Brian Vickers         Red Bull Toyota
43) 32 Reed Sorenson       Dollar General Stores Toyota