
04-27-2008, 12:46 AM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 324
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A Quick Look At Qualifying For The Aaron's 499
- Joe Nemechek pulled off an upset Saturday, earning the pole for Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Nemechek claimed the 10th pole of his NASCAR Sprint Cup career in his National Day of Prayer Chevrolet with a lap of 51.103 seconds, 187.386 mph. It is his first top-10 start this year.
- Nemechek now has four poles and 11 top-10 starts in 27 races at the 2.66-mile track. He was the fastest driver among those required to make the field on time.
- Starting on the outside of the front row is Tony Stewart. He posted a 51.237-second, 186.896-mph lap in his Home Depot Toyota. This is Stewart's fifth top-10 start this year and his eighth in 19 Talladega races. Stewart's effort tied his career-best start at Talladega, which occurred in May 2006.
- Veteran Ken Schrader also surprised the motorsports community, qualifying third in his Hunt Brothers Pizza Chevrolet with a lap of 51.346 seconds, 186.499 mph. It is his 14th top-10 start in 45 Talladega races, but his first since September 2003.
- David Ragan was the top qualifying Ford, claiming the sixth starting position in his AAA Travel Ford. He recorded a 51.400-second, 186.304-mph lap.
- Kyle Petty led the Dodge contingent with the 15th quickest lap. His Marathon American Spirit Motor Oil Dodge was clocked at 51.628 seconds, 185.481 mph.
- Jon Wood qualified for his second Sprint Cup race in his Little Debbie Snack Cakes Ford. He will start 12th. Wood made his Cup debut at Las Vegas in 2007, starting 41st and finishing 29th.
- Sterling Marlin, who posted the 16th quickest lap in his Micoosukee Resorts Chevrolet, qualified for his first race since Homestead in 2007.
- Patrick Carpentier was the fastest qualifying rookie. He recorded a 51.689-second, 185.305-mph lap to claim the 17th starting position. All five Raybestos rookie candidates made the field.
- Failing to qualify for the race were Dave Blaney, J.J. Yeley and John Andretti.
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Compiled By Deb Williams
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