A Quick Look At Qualifying For The Samsung 500

[PressRoom-GFN]

• Dale Earnhardt Jr. claimed his first pole of the season Friday at Texas Motor Speedway with a lap of 28.286 seconds, 190.097 mph, in a Chevrolet. It was his second pole at the 1.5-mile track, but his first start better than seventh in the track's last 10 Cup races.
  
  
• Earnhardt Jr.'s eighth pole of his career was his first since August 2007 at Pocono, Pa.
  
  
• Ford's Carl Edwards earned the other front row starting position with a 28.498-second, 189.487-mph lap. This is the first time he's started better than 10th in seven Texas Cup races.
  
  
• Kyle Busch posted the third quickest lap in his Toyota. His 28.561-second, 189.069-mph lap provided him with his second top-10 start in seven Texas races. His other top-10 start was fifth in April 2007 when qualifying was canceled due to weather.
  
  
• Ryan Newman led the Dodge contingent, taking the fourth starting position with a lap of 28.565 seconds, 189.043 mph.
  
  
• David Reutimann, who qualified sixth, was the fastest of the drivers required to make the field on time.
  
  
• Sam Hornish Jr., who was 17th fastest, was the top qualifying rookie.
  
  
• A horrifying crash by Michael McDowell delayed the completion of qualifying while the SAFER barrier was repaired. The accident began when McDowell's Toyota turned sideways in turn one. The rookie over-corrected, shot up the track, and slammed into the SAFER barrier with the car's left front. The car became airborne and then barrel rolled at least eight times down the track, catching fire in the engine department. The car was demolished, but McDowell escaped injury. He will start 40th in Sunday's race.
  
  
• Failing to qualify for the race were Dario Franchitti, Chad McCumbee and Burney Lamar.

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