Qualifying Report - New Hampshire

QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 29.206 seconds, 130.412 miles per hour
2. Martin Truex, Jr., Chevrolet, 29.241 seconds, 130.255 miles per hour
3. Kurt Busch, Dodge, 29.296 seconds, 130.011 miles per hour
4. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 29.344 seconds, 129.798 miles per hour
5. Ryan Newman, Dodge, 29.361 seconds, 129.723 miles per hour
26. Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 29.736 seconds, 128.087 miles per hour
41. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 30.000 seconds, 126.960 miles per hour

Bobby Labonte is racing the #43 Cheerios/Trix, Lucky and Friends Dodge this weekend at the one-mile New Hampshire International Speedway. The characters, with the help from crew chief Doug Randolph and the crew, aided Labonte to qualify 26th fastest. Labonte is hoping to move forward on Sunday.

“We’re still working to get it better,” said Labonte. “It didn’t have the feel that I wanted. We are looking for more grip right now.”

Clint Bowyer is winless in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, but Friday’s qualifying session was a step in the right direction for the RCR driver. Bowyer won his second career pole Friday afternoon and will lead the field to the green for Sunday’s 300-lap race. Bowyer led championship contenders Martin Truex, Jr., Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson in qualifying.

For the first time in nearly a month the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series didn’t have to battle near triple digit temperatures. Cooler temperatures are on the dock throughout the weekend with possible rain showers for Saturday morning. Friday’s qualifying session weather was very comfortable as teams qualified.

Kyle Petty is making his first start at New Hampshire this year. He was in the TNT booth earlier this year when the series first visited. Petty is currently 34th in NASCAR Nextel Cup owner points as the team is eyeing a rise the top 30 in the final 10 races. The team will start that charge after qualifying 41st fastest on Sunday.

Friday’s qualifying session was televised live nationally by ESPN2 and broadcast on MRN Radio. Sunday’s race will be televised live on ABC and broadcast live on MRN Radio. The race is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. (ET).