Qualifying Report - Coca-Cola 600

QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Ryan Newman, Dodge, 29.140 seconds, 185.312 miles per hour
2. Kurt Busch, Dodge, 29.179 seconds, 185.065 miles per hour
3. Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 29.189 seconds, 185.001 miles per hour
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 29.247 seconds, 184.634 miles per hour
5. Matt Kenseth, Ford, 29.311 seconds, 183.536 miles per hour
9. Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 29.422 seconds, 188.422 miles per hour
36. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 29.828 seconds, 181.038 miles per hour

CONCORD, NC (May 24, 2007) - Bobby Labonte and the #43 Chocolate Chex Dodge team qualified ninth Thursday night at the 1.5-mile Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Labonte showcased a strong car during practice and continued with a good run in qualifying. Labonte’ lap was third fastest at the time he qualified. The teamed ended up with the ninth best time of the 49 cars attempting time.

“I didn’t think we’d pick up that much speed,” said Labonte. “But, the car felt really good coming to the green. That’s where I got a lot of speed out of it. One and Two was good. I lost a little bit in Three and Four coming back to the white flag. The guys did a great job and Charlotte is a great place to race. I feel like we learned a little bit last weekend. I feel like we’ve got some good things happening, and I feel like we can make it better on Saturday for the race.”

Kyle Petty and the #45 Coke Zero Dodge team had one of the worst qualifying draws possible Thursday night. Petty was the fourth car to qualify and the track was still under the warm sun. The evening qualifying session nearly guaranteed teams with later draws a faster time when the track was cooler. Petty qualified 36th fastest.

“We have picked up a lot from last week,” said Petty. “The time didn’t show it, but the car is better. That’s good for Sunday. It’s disappointing we didn’t go faster, but I know we’ve got a good Coke Zero Dodge for Sunday’s race.”

Ryan Newman is known in NASCAR for going fast on qualifying day. Thursday night, Newman, again, went the fastest on what was pole night for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. Newman won his 39th career pole by besting his teammate Kurt Busch. Busch will start second to make it an all Dodge Motorsports and Penske Racing front row. Dodge actually had five of their cars in the top 10 qualifying positions. Petty Enterprises placed one of their entries in one of the spots.

Thursday’s qualifying session was televised live nationally by SPEED Channel and broadcast on PRN Radio. Sunday’s race will be televised live on FOX in High Definition and broadcast live on PRN Radio. The race is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. (ET).