↑ Grab this Headline Animator

Click Here:

Check out the NEW T-Shirt Shop
Click HERE!

2008 NASCAR Tickets & NASCAR Schedule

WANT TO ADVERTISE ON THIS WEBSITE?

NOTE: I'm a one man show, not supported by anyone. If you wish to donate to help offset expenses, it would be appreciated:

---

---

NEW Stuff in the RACESHOP!CLICK HERE

By Reid Spencer,Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Tony Stewart was within two drivers of winning his first pole since 2005 -- until Joe Nemechek's 11th-hour run on Saturday bumped him from the top spot.

Stewart had gone out seventh and posted a lap at 186.896 mph, only to have Nemechek surpass him late in the session. The pole was the 10th of Nemechek's career and the first since he claimed the top spot for the Aug. 21, 2005 race at Michigan. It was also his fourth at Talladega, most among active drivers.

Ken Schrader, who like Nemechek had to make the race on speed, qualified third in the No. 70 Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet at 186.499 mph. After failing to qualify for the first three races of the season and sitting out the next five in favor of veteran Mike Skinner, AJ Allmendinger will make his belated 2008 Cup debut from the fourth starting position, having qualified the No. 84 Red Bull Toyota at 186.423 mph.

Kyle Busch (186.416 mph) will start fifth, followed by David Ragan, Denny Hamlin, Brian Vickers, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson.

--(Cont'd From Front Page)-- Powered by an engine supplied by Hendrick Motorsports, Nemechek's car took its time trial in qualifying trim, as did Schrader's. Stewart's No. 20 Toyota, on the other hand, qualified in race trim. Since Sunday's event is an impound race -- where teams aren't allowed to work on their cars between qualifying and the green flag -- Nemechek and Schrader will have to make major adjustments to their cars as the race progresses.

"It's a pleasure to drive when they drive like this," Nemechek said. "This is the same car we had at Daytona, and it was fast there. I've really got to thank Hendrick Motorsports for the engines. I think the engines are a big part of how you qualify here."

Despite losing the pole position, Stewart was elated with his lap.

"This is the best we've qualified at this place in a while," said Stewart, who matched his career-best starting spot at Talladega (from April 2006). "We didn't even do any mock qualifying runs yesterday, so we're really happy to be this fast."

In addition to his strong third-place run, Schrader provided the line of the day. With his last win in 1991 and his last pole in 1999, Schrader hasn't been a frequent visitor to the media center in recent years.

Glancing down at his name placard during the post-qualifying news conference, Schrader said, "I bet they had to hurry to print this s-o-b, didn't they?"

Notes: Jon Wood qualified 12th, giving the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford its best starting spot of the season. Sunday's race will be Jon Wood's second Cup event. . . Dave Blaney, J.J. Yeley and John Andretti failed to make the field. . . . Sterling Marlin qualified for his first Cup race since November 2007 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He'll start 16th.

---

NOTE: I'm a one man show, not supported by anyone. If you wish to donate to help offset expense, it would be appreciated:

toolbar powered by Conduit

BACK TO FRONT PAGE<