Newman Rockets to Lowe’s Pole Record
Written by John Davison · May 26, 2005
Ryan Newman, for the second week in a row, will start on pole at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Last week, Newman’s crew had to change four tires in a pit stop during his qualifying run for the NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge. This week, Newman took to the track by himself, running on the newly-ground (levigated, in track parlance) surface. Newman’s time eclipsed the short-lived record set by Mike Bliss of 28.540 sec/189.208 mph. Newman’s lap time ws 27.981 sec at 192.988 mph. In all, the top 18 cars broke Bliss’ record before the night was done.
After last week’s Craftsman Truck Series race, Open and All-Star Challenge, there has been some discussion of whether or not the track is too fast now for good racing. Newman commented that “That’s not too fast. We go faster at Texas and Atlanta. If we go faster, that’s fine until safety is a question.
“It’s all about grip,” he continued. “Everybody still knows where the wall’s at and if you can keep your frame of reference on the racecar you’ll do just fine.” Prior to qualifying, Ray Evernham, team owner for the No. 9 and No. 19 Dodges, said: “If we see a lot of side-by-side racing on Sunday, it’s not too fast. If not, then it’s too fast.” Evernham’s analysis was echoed by John Erickson, team manager at Penske Racing South.
Jeff Gordon, fresh from a “singing” engagement in Chicago, where he threw out the ball at a Cubs game, but referred to the ballpark as “Wrigley Stadium” instead of “Wrigley Field.” The gaffe resulted in a round of boos for Gordon. After qualifying, he came into the Media Center singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” but admitting that he does not normally sing in public. We learned why.
“The guys that have this place figured out have had to step it up a little,” said Gordon in the Media Center. “And the guys who haven’t figured out the track are a little further off. I think the track’s intentions are to create side-by-side racing. And I think it might, down the road.
“Three and Four, in my opinion, used to be one of the great corners in racing, but right now, I think you just have to run low. Maybe, later on, the racing wil lbe better,” Gordon added.
Newman commentede that “We’re never going to stop trying to win poles as a team. It’s a great way to start off the weekend. The track is obviously faster than it was last fall. That’s pretty much it,” he said.
“It’s a little tough to pass in turns one and two,” added the Indiana native. “Track position is still so important, so it’s better to start up front. We’ll make the changes to the car to hopefully stay up front.
“They have taken about 60% of the bumps away,” he added. “Goodyear has brought a harder tire. The combination is really great and safe. We’ll take it for what it’s worth.”
1, Ryan Newman, No. 12 ALLTEL Dodge, 27.981 sec, 192.988 mph
2, Jeff Gordon, No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet, 28.136, 191.925
3, Matt Kenseth, No. 17 DeWalt Power Tools Ford, 28.234, 191.259
4, Kasey Kahne, No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge, 28.305, 190.779
5, Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, 28.311, 190.739
6, Kyle Busch*, No. 5 CARQUEST/Kellogg’s Chevrolet, 28.319, 190.685
7, Dale Jarrett, No. 88 UPS Ford, 28.348, 190.490
8, Mike Bliss, No. 0 NetZero Best Buy Chevrolet, 28.368, 190.355
9, Tony Stewart, No. 20 The Home Depot Chevrolet, 28.404, 190.114
10, Elliott Sadler, No. 38 Pedigree Ford, 28.424, 189.980
11, Jamie McMurray, No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge, 28.442, 189.860
12, Carl Edwards, No. 99 Scotts Roundup Ford, 28.451, 189.800
13, Mark Martin, No. 6 Viagra Ford, 28.484, 189.580
14, Brian Vickers, No. 25 GMAC/ditech.com Chevrolet, 28.492, 189.527
15, Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet, 28.500, 189.474
16, Ricky Rudd, No. 21 Motorcraft Genuine Parts Ford, 28.522, 189.328
17, Jimmy Spencer, No. 50 Arnold Development Companies Dodge, 28.529, 189.281
18, Travis Kvapil*, No. 77 Kodak/Jasper Engines Dodge, 28.535, 189.241
19, Johnny Sauter, No. 09 Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts Dodge, 28.546, 189.168
20, Rusty Wallace, No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge, 28.553, 189.122
21, Ken Schrader, No. 49 Schwan’s Home Service Dodge, 28.555, 189.109
22, Mike Skinner, No. 23 History Channel AutoManiac Dodge, 28.570, 189.009
23, Michael Waltrip, No. 15 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, 28.595, 188.844
24, Casey Mears, No. 41 Target Dodge, 28.597, 188.831
25, Robby Gordon, No. 7 Fruit of the Loom Chevrolet, 28.611, 188.739
26, Terry Labonte, No. 44 Kellogg’s Chevrolet, 28.614, 188.719
27, Bill Elliott, No. 91 Stanley Tools Dodge, 28.625, 188.646
28, Scott Riggs, No. 10 Valvoline Chevrolet, 28.627, 188.633
29, Greg Biffle, No. 16 National Guard/Charter Communications Ford, 28.634, 188.587
30, Martin Truex Jr., No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Chevrolet, 28.647, 188.501
31, Dave Blaney, No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktail Chevrolet, 28.668, 188.363
32, Kevin Lepage, No. 37 Underdog Dodge, 28.681, 188.278
33, Scott Wimmer, No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge, 28.710, 188.088
34, Kevin Harvick, No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet, 28.727, 187.976
35, Kurt Busch, No. 97 Smirnoff Ford, 28.746, 187.852
36, Bobby Labonte, No. 18 Interstate Batteries/Madagascar Chevrolet, 28.746, 187.852
37, Jeremy Mayfield, No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge, 28.782, 187.617
38, Jason Leffler, No. 11 FedEx Freight Chevrolet, 28.783, 187.611
39, Kyle Petty, No. 45 Georgia-Pacific/Brawny Dodge, 28.785, 187.598
40, Joe Nemechek, No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet, 28.818, 187.383
41, Bobby Hamilton Jr., No. 32 Tide Chevrolet, 28.882, 186.968
42, Jeff Burton, No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet, 28.895, 186.884
43, Hermie Sadler, No. 66 Ace & TJ Show/Peak Fitness Ford, 28.905, 186.819
44, Sterling Marlin, No. 40 Coors Light Dodge, 28.927, 186.677
45, Boris Said, No. 36 CENTRIX Financial Chevrolet, 29.073, 185.739
46, Jeff Fuller, No. 34 Mach One Inc. Chevrolet, 29.123, 185.420
47, Mike Wallace, No. 4 Lucas Oil Products Chevrolet, 29.127, 185.395
48, Carl Long, No. 00 Buyer’s Choice Auto Warranties Chevrolet, 29.156, 185.211
49, Tony Raines, No. 92 Front Row Motorsports Chevrolet, 29.434, 183.461
50, Mike Garvey, No. 75 Jani-King/Rinaldi Air Conditioning Dodge, 29.443, 183.405
51, Jeff Green, No. 43 Cheerios/Bugles Dodge, 29.860, 180.844
52, Kirk Shelmerdine, No. 27 Freddie B’s Ford, 30.015, 179.910
53, Greg Sacks, No. 13 Sacks Motorsports Dodge, NT
*: Rookie
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