Busch captures the pole for Saturday nights Sprint All-Star race

[media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignright” width=”235″][/media-credit]Kyle Busch captured the pole for Saturday nights Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway by completing three laps and a four-tire pit stop in 45.335 MPH (119.112 SECS) for the second straight time.

“It was a team effort. That is what it all boils down to. We were trying some things and looking at our race stuff. We felt like we had a really good shot at the pole going out late. It’s an honor for us. That’s two in a row for us here.” Busch said.

Ryan Newman starts second.

“Just really proud of the guys they had a good pit stop. I felt like everything was pretty clean. Our car has pretty good balance. We didn’t have a good practice session so hopefully the Tornados Chevrolet will be up front at the start and the finish of the All-Star Race.” Newman said.

Denny Hamlin starts third, Greg Biffle fourth and Kevin Harvick starts fifth.

The 90-lap race will be split into four 20-lap segments with a mandatory pit stop.  Then a 10-lap shootout for the $1 million prize.

Last years winner Carl Edwards starts 13th.

“I’m gonna go watch it. It didn’t feel real bad, but it just wasn’t real fast. We’ve got a fast race car, though, and it’s gonna be a fun race.” Edwards said.

Starting in his first All-Star race, Trevor Bayne will start 11th.

“I’m sweating.  I was so nervous going out there.  I was sweating before I got in the car.  I felt like we did well getting to pit road.  That’s what I was the most nervous about was making sure I got there quick, but then speed and we smoked them a little bit, but we were slowed down enough.  I was pumped about that.” Bayne said.

RACE LINEUP
Sprint All-Star Race, Charlotte Motor Speedway
May 19, 2012 – Exhibition

Sprint Showdown

The Sprint Show Down, which will be held prior to the start of the Sprint All-Star, will determine two additional drivers (finishers 1 – 2) to the field and a fan vote will determine one more driver to set the starting line-up to a total of 23 drivers for the All-Star race.

AJ Allmendinger starts first in the Sprint showdown.

“That was a good lap. More than anything the car just stuck to the racetrack. I was letting it free up off it, so it wasn’t anything scary. You know, we struggled a little bit in practice. The Pennzoil Dodge had speed in it but wasn’t really comfortable so Todd Gordon (crew chief) and the guys went to work.” Allmendinger said.

Martin Truex Jr. starts second.

Here at Charlotte, we practiced today and it was really hot and the sun was out. This is a difficult place regardless when the sun’s out, but when you have to do qualifying runs and with the impound situation it makes it hard. The guys did a good job. We can win from there.” Truex Jr said.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. starts third.  Earnhardt used the fan vote to get into last years All-star race, but getting into the race without the fan vote would be a huge boost to the team and himself.

”It would really help build confidence. I remember when we won here in 2000 how much confidence it gave me. Winning this kind of event would do wonders for our team.” Earnhardt said.

RACE LINEUP
Sprint Showdown, Charlotte Motor Speedway
May 19, 2012 – Exhibition