Mark Martin Takes Pole For Subway Fresh Fit 500
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[/media-credit]53 year old Mark Martin took the pole for Sunday’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 away from Regan Smith with just one driver remaining to the applause of the fans at Phoenix International Raceway. This is Martin’s third career pole in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series here in Phoenix. His last pole in Phoenix came back in 2009. He ended up winning that event which turned out to be his first career win with Hendrick Motorsports.
“I can’t say enough for MWR (Michael Waltrip Racing), Aaron’s and my team giving me such great Toyotas. I want to make sure that everybody knows that having an owner for a driver is really, really special. I got this pole because of Michael Waltrip and something that he said to me right before I went to qualify and of course a great race car and a great team and everything else. Thank all the fans for cheering, that’s such a privilege to be still racing — thank you all.” Martin said.
Tony Stewart will start alongside Martin on the front row. We mentioned earlier that Stewart has one career win here which he won during his rookie season back in 1999. Martin also has only one victory here.
Rounding out the top-10 were Regan Smith, Jimmie Johnson, Juan Montoya, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, and Kasey Kahne.
Other notables include: Kyle Busch (12th), Hamlin (13th), Bowyer (16th), Kurt Busch (19th), Edwards (24th), Truex (25th), Kenseth (26th), Keselowski 28th), Jr. (29th), Gordon (30th).
“It was just awful. We have been way too free since we have been here and the track seems a lot more free than last time. We didn’t get much practice in the backup car with me wrecking the other one and having to put the motor in and all that stuff. That got us behind and we just missed it by a lot there in qualifying.” Kenseth said.
Hendrick Motorsports looks to rebound after losing 3 of their 4 race cars during the big crashes at Daytona. It looked like Jr. and Jeff Gordon are more focused on their race setups than Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne. Kahne looked like he had a pole winning time, but his car bottomed out a lot especially in Turns 3 and 4.
| Starting Lineup | |||||
| Subway Fresh Fit 500, Phoenix International Raceway | |||||
| http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Cup/qual.php?race=2 | |||||
| =========================================== | |||||
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Make | Speed | Time |
| =========================================== | |||||
| 1 | 55 | Mark Martin | Toyota | 136.814 | 26.313 |
| 2 | 14 | Tony Stewart | Chevrolet | 136.126 | 26.446 |
| 3 | 78 | Regan Smith | Chevrolet | 135.998 | 26.471 |
| 4 | 48 | Jimmie Johnson | Chevrolet | 135.583 | 26.552 |
| 5 | 42 | Juan Montoya | Chevrolet | 135.547 | 26.559 |
| 6 | 39 | Ryan Newman | Chevrolet | 135.491 | 26.57 |
| 7 | 16 | Greg Biffle | Ford | 135.074 | 26.652 |
| 8 | 29 | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet | 135.014 | 26.664 |
| 9 | 20 | Joey Logano | Toyota | 134.998 | 26.667 |
| 10 | 5 | Kasey Kahne | Chevrolet | 134.771 | 26.712 |
| 11 | 31 | Jeff Burton | Chevrolet | 134.615 | 26.743 |
| 12 | 18 | Kyle Busch | Toyota | 134.564 | 26.753 |
| 13 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | Toyota | 134.499 | 26.766 |
| 14 | 9 | Marcos Ambrose | Ford | 134.449 | 26.776 |
| 15 | 22 | A.J. Allmendinger | Dodge | 134.278 | 26.81 |
| 16 | 15 | Clint Bowyer | Toyota | 134.268 | 26.812 |
| 17 | 47 | Bobby Labonte | Toyota | 134.058 | 26.854 |
| 18 | 43 | Aric Almirola | Ford | 134.048 | 26.856 |
| 19 | 51 | Kurt Busch | Chevrolet | 133.939 | 26.878 |
| 20 | 27 | Paul Menard | Chevrolet | 133.814 | 26.903 |
| 21 | 1 | Jamie McMurray | Chevrolet | 133.764 | 26.913 |
| 22 | 83 | Landon Cassill | Toyota | 133.665 | 26.933 |
| 23 | 36 | Dave Blaney | Chevrolet | 133.63 | 26.94 |
| 24 | 99 | Carl Edwards | Ford | 133.615 | 26.943 |
| 25 | 56 | Martin Truex Jr. | Toyota | 133.417 | 26.983 |
| 26 | 17 | Matt Kenseth | Ford | 132.871 | 27.094 |
| 27 | 23 | Scott Riggs | Chevrolet | 132.743 | 27.12 |
| 28 | 2 | Brad Keselowski | Dodge | 132.709 | 27.127 |
| 29 | 88 | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Chevrolet | 132.597 | 27.15 |
| 30 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet | 132.441 | 27.182 |
| 31 | 13 | Casey Mears | Ford | 132.251 | 27.221 |
| 32 | 10 | David Reutimann | Chevrolet | 132.231 | 27.225 |
| 33 | 26 | Josh Wise* | Ford | 132.081 | 27.256 |
| 34 | 34 | David Ragan | Ford | 132.057 | 27.261 |
| 35 | 249 | J.J. Yeley | Toyota | 131.685 | 27.338 |
| 36 | 38 | David Gilliland | Ford | 131.516 | 27.373 |
| 37 | 98 | Michael McDowell | Ford | 131.502 | 27.376 |
| 38 | 87 | Joe Nemechek | Toyota | 130.596 | 27.566 |
| 39 | 7 | Robby Gordon | Dodge | 130.364 | 27.615 |
| 40 | 33 | Brendan Gaughan | Chevrolet | 128.824 | 27.945 |
| 41 | 93 | Travis Kvapil+ | Toyota | 127.845 | 28.159 |
| 42 | 32 | Mike Bliss+ | Ford | 118.06 | 30.493 |
| 43 | 30 | David Stremme | Toyota | 129.092 | 27.887 |
The Nationwide Series race begins shortly and the Sprint Cup race will take place tomorrow. Hope to see all of the fans there! Follow me on Twitter for updates! http://www.twitter.com/SirRyanTheOHara
Sadler to drive for five with MWR
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[/media-credit]Elliott Sadler and Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) have agreed to a deal where the Emporia, VA. native will drive five races in the No. 55 Toyota Camry.
As a 12 year veteran in the Sprint Cup Series, Sadler will be competing for the Nationwide Series title once again this season. He signed a two-year deal with Kevin Harvick Incorporated in November of 2010, after struggling to find a competitive ride in NASCAR’s elite series.
KHI merged with Harvick’s Cup Series team, Richard Childress Racing as Sadler was unable to win the a lone race in the 2011 season. Childress gave Sadler the opportunity to run the Daytona 500 in the No. 33 Impala. Sponsorship came from General Mills in a collaboration with Kroger, but Sadler was unable to race for the win as a fuel pressure issue deflated any chance for Sadler to be competitive.
Waltrip has always known that Sadler has it in him to run competitively in the Sprint Cup Series, but Sadler has never been given the right opportunity. With Sadler’s signing, Waltrip signs a driver such as himself.
Though sponsorship has yet to be named, the races Sadler will drive have been announced. The 36 year old will step behind the wheel at both Bristol and Martinsville races with the first New Hampshire race in mid-July.
Rodney Childers will be Sadler’s Crew Chief. Sadler previously worked with Childers at what was Gillett/Evernham Motorsports in 2008. But, Childers left RPM for MWR. Ironically, the two will now work together once again, even though it is on a part-time basis.
“We’ll pair him with Crew Chief Rodney Childers who builds really fast cars. We believe Elliott will do a great job,” said team owner, Michael Waltrip, who will race four more times in the No. 55 this year.
Waltrip and the MWR have an exceeding amount of confidence in Sadler who finished second in the battle for the Nationwide Series championship in 2011.
The signing could mean Sadler will return to the Cup Series for a full-time schedule in 2013. Sadler may drive for RCR, MWR, or even another team. However, for 2012, Sadler’s goal is to win the Nationwide Series championship.
Though the season has yet to get into the midst of the points battle, Sadler will likely battle Ricky Stenhouse Jr. once again for the trophy which can lock up Sadler’s return to the elite series of stock car racing.
Denny Hamlin On Pole For Bashas’ Supermarkets 200; Stenhouse Starts Second
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[/media-credit]Denny Hamlin scored his third career pole here at the Phoenix International Raceway in the Nationwide Series and his fourth career front row start. He will start alongside defending NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Kenny Wallace shocked everyone and put his #09 car in the third place followed by the favorite to win the event, the #38 of Kasey Kahne. Trevor Bayne rounded out the Top 5 in fifth.
Sam Hornish Jr. looks to defend his Phoenix title from the 6th position. Brad Keselowski, Elliott Sadler, Austin Dillon, and Joey Logano rounded out the Top 10. Who is your favorite to win the race? I’m pulling for Sam Hornish Jr. I’ve been a fan of his since he began his career as an IRL racer.
Other notables include: Harvick (12th), Kyle Busch (14th), Yeley (16th), Buescher (25th), Danica (30th), Jennifer Jo Cobb (43rd).
| Starting Lineup | |||||
| Bashas’ Supermarkets 200, Phoenix International Raceway | |||||
| http://www.speedwaymedia.com/Cup/qual.php?race=2 | |||||
| =========================================== | |||||
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Make | Speed | Time |
| =========================================== | |||||
| 1 | 18 | Denny Hamlin | Toyota | 132.979 | 27.072 |
| 2 | 6 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | Ford | 132.92 | 27.084 |
| 3 | 9 | Kenny Wallace | Toyota | 132.885 | 27.091 |
| 4 | 38 | Kasey Kahne | Chevrolet | 132.768 | 27.115 |
| 5 | 60 | Trevor Bayne | Ford | 132.548 | 27.16 |
| 6 | 12 | Sam Hornish Jr. | Dodge | 132.406 | 27.189 |
| 7 | 22 | Brad Keselowski | Dodge | 131.994 | 27.274 |
| 8 | 2 | Elliott Sadler | Chevrolet | 131.941 | 27.285 |
| 9 | 3 | Austin Dillon* | Chevrolet | 131.921 | 27.289 |
| 10 | 20 | Joey Logano | Toyota | 131.863 | 27.301 |
| 11 | 11 | Brian Scott | Toyota | 131.372 | 27.403 |
| 12 | 33 | Kevin Harvick | Chevrolet | 131.253 | 27.428 |
| 13 | 31 | Justin Allgaier | Chevrolet | 131.047 | 27.471 |
| 14 | 54 | Kyle Busch | Toyota | 130.544 | 27.577 |
| 15 | 87 | Joe Nemechek | Toyota | 130.473 | 27.592 |
| 16 | 27 | J.J. Yeley | Ford | 130.35 | 27.618 |
| 17 | 88 | Cole Whitt* | Chevrolet | 130.331 | 27.622 |
| 18 | 81 | Jason Bowles* | Dodge | 129.814 | 27.732 |
| 19 | 44 | Mike Bliss | Toyota | 129.613 | 27.775 |
| 20 | 47 | Scott Speed | Chevrolet | 129.52 | 27.795 |
| 21 | 43 | Michael Annett | Ford | 129.171 | 27.87 |
| 22 | 108 | Casey Roderick* | Ford | 128.935 | 27.921 |
| 23 | 1 | Mike Wallace | Chevrolet | 128.843 | 27.941 |
| 24 | 19 | Tayler Malsam | Toyota | 128.797 | 27.951 |
| 25 | 30 | James Buescher | Chevrolet | 128.361 | 28.046 |
| 26 | 46 | Chase Miller | Chevrolet | 128.342 | 28.05 |
| 27 | 10 | Jeff Green | Toyota | 127.977 | 28.13 |
| 28 | 51 | Jeremy Clements | Chevrolet | 127.669 | 28.198 |
| 29 | 89 | Morgan Shepherd | Chevrolet | 127.056 | 28.334 |
| 30 | 7 | Danica Patrick | Chevrolet | 126.998 | 28.347 |
| 31 | 39 | Joey Gase* | Ford | 126.859 | 28.378 |
| 32 | 23 | Jamie Dick | Chevrolet | 126.725 | 28.408 |
| 33 | 42 | Josh Wise | Chevrolet | 126.712 | 28.411 |
| 34 | 41 | Blake Koch | Ford | 124.395 | 28.94 |
| 35 | 28 | David Green | Dodge | 123.809 | 29.077 |
| 36 | 40 | Erik Darnell | Chevrolet | 123.635 | 29.118 |
| 37 | 14 | Eric McClure | Toyota | 123.085 | 29.248 |
| 38 | 52 | Tim Schendel | Chevrolet | 121.155 | 29.714 |
| 39 | 124 | Benny Gordon | Chevrolet | 121 | 29.752 |
| 40 | 4 | Daryl Harr | Chevrolet | 118.839 | 30.293 |
| 41 | 50 | T.J. Bell | Ford | 118.033 | 30.5 |
| 42 | 70 | Charles Lewandoski+ | Chevrolet | 115.972 | 31.042 |
| 43 | 174 | Mike Harmon | Chevrolet | 120.886 | 29.78 |
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying will take place in about 15 minutes followed by the Nationwide race at 4PM ET. Stay tuned on ESPN2 or follow me on Twitter. http://www.twitter.com/SirRyanTheOHara
Martin Truex Jr. Paces Happy Hour; Kenseth Struggles Badly
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[/media-credit]Happy Hour in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series usually determines who made serious changes on their cars and who didn’t make serious changes on their cars. Take a quick look at how the first practice session ended for these race teams. We didn’t even mention Martin Truex Jr. at all during the first practice and now we definitely are. The #56 NAPA Toyota was 22nd fastest earlier.
Clint Bowyer impressed as well as he was the runner-up in our afternoon session and he was 32nd quickest earlier this morning. Juan Montoya, Kurt Busch, and Jeff Gordon rounded out the top 5.
Jeff Gordon looked pretty bad during Happy Hour until the very end. The #24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet was only 32nd quickest on the track. Gordon went back to the garage and his crew stayed there for about 15 minutes. The time in the garage definitely proved worthwhile as Jeff posted the 4th fastest time before falling to 5th. Gordon ran 59 laps.
Now, what happened to Tony Stewart? Well, he struggled. He ran over 54 laps, but only made it up to 23rd. Rounding out the rest of the Top 10 were Paul Menard, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, and Brad Keselowski.
Ryan Newman found success with his backup car as you can see he posted the ninth quickest time, but unfortunately you don’t see me mentioning Matt Kenseth do you? Kenseth ran one lap with his backup car originally. It was the slowest lap of anyone on the track. He went back to the garage, then ran another lap. It was still terrible. Kenseth went back out and posted the 38th quickest lap of 43 cars.
So, who is the man to beat this weekend? In my opinion, it is going to be a Roush vs. Hendrick weekend! I can’t wait to share the race with you guys. Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/SirRyanTheOHara
