Sadler Takes Third Pole for 2005, Harvick’s Lap Disallowed
Written by John Davison · September 30, 2005
Elliott Sadler, taking advantage of the partnership horsepower from Roush and Yates’ Ford engine program, won his third pole for the 2005 season at Talladega Friday. Sadler beat out Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 Chevy by 0.061 sec with a lap of 50.597 sec/189.260 mph for the fastest qualifying time with Sadler’s Robert Yates teammate, Dale Jarrett, clocking the third fastest lap, 0.130 sec behind Sadler.
Harvick held pole for most of the afternoon until Sadler’s lap, then had his time totally disallowed following infractions noted in post-qualifying inspection. NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said that the problems uncovered were “in the trunk area” of the No. 29 Chevrolet.
“I think the biggest advantage is pit selection,” said Sadler. “Here there are so many cars on the lead lap, if you’re pitting with somebody in front of you or behind you circumstances are gonna probably show in one of the pit stops while you’re pulling in somebody is pulling out, or while you’re pulling out somebody is pulling in. And with these restrictor plate motors and the high gears we run in them, if you get bogged down on pit road, you’re gonna lose a few positions. Or if it’s a green-flag pit stop, you’re gonna lose a few seconds and then you’ve got a chance to lose the draft. So I think qualifying is important as far as I’ve got an opening now in front of my pit stall, so I don’t really have to worry about getting out of my pit stall. I can get out clean and I should be OK. So, for us, qualifying up front, I think, is an advantage because of your pit selection.”
Ryan Newman, clocking a lap of 50.775 sec/188.571 mph, will start fourth in Sunday’s race. His fellow Penske Racing South Dodge driver Rusty Wallace had the engine fail on his second lap of time trials, dropping him to 42nd on the starting grid.
Starting Lineup, UAW-Ford 500
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2 Responses to “Sadler Takes Third Pole for 2005, Harvick’s Lap Disallowed”
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Harvick’s crew chief puts new meaning to the phrase “junk in the truck” doesn’t he?
I agree. NASCAR made a good move by putting him in the back. NASCAR seems to be strict in the pre race inspections but in post race they aren’t strict at all. NASCAR needs to take wins away if a car is not legal. It’s the only way to stop cheating.