Pocono qualifying report
QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 52.995 seconds, 169.827 miles per hour
2. Ryan Newman, Dodge, 53.123 seconds, 169.418 miles per hour
3. Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 53.146 seconds, 169.345 miles per hour
4. Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 53.157 seconds, 169.310 miles per hour
5. Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 53.171 seconds, 169.265 miles per hour
27. Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 54.001 seconds, 166.664 miles per hour
33. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 54.218 seconds, 165.997 miles per hour
In June, Denny Hamlin spun in the opening laps of the Pocono 500 at the 2.5-mile Pocono (Penn.) Raceway, located in the township of Long Pond, and had a strong enough car to record his first Nextel Cup victory. Friday, at the same track, Hamlin won the pole for Sunday’s Pennsylvania 500. Hamlin was the fastest car in Friday morning’s practice session and used a later qualifying draw to pick up the pole. It is his second career pole. His first also came at the Pocono Raceway. Ryan Newman qualified second and Kasey Kahne third.
Labonte and the #43Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team qualified 27th for Sunday’s 500-miler. Labonte was 14th fastest in the afternoon practice session, but a hot and humid afternoon made the track more challenging for everyone. Labonte still picked us his lap speed from practice and qualified 27th.
“The car wasn’t bad all the way around,” said Labonte. “I think we’ve got a pretty good car for Sunday. We’re not starting where we want, but hopefully we can have a strong race.”
Petty and the #45 Kyle Petty Charity Ride Dodge team qualified 33rd for Sunday’s race. Petty, who qualified just before Labonte, also had to fight the track conditions. Petty was 37th in the afternoon practice, but also picked up speed during his qualifying run. Petty and the team will now prepare for Sunday’s race.
“We picked up a second, but just about everyone else did too,” said Petty. “That’s just the way the track changes here. We’ll see where we end up with this Charity Ride Dodge. Saturday will be a good day to prepare the car for Sunday.”
Sunday’s race will be televised live nationally on TNT and broadcast on MRN Radio. Race coverage begins at 1:30pm (EST). |
