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17th
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Aussie Marcos Ambrose has done something not accomplished by any American in NASCAR in 25 years.
Driving a Richard Petty Motorsport Ford Ambrose won the pole at Michigan International Speedway at 203.241 mph. It was the 11th fastest pole in NASCAR and first at a non-restrictor plate track.
The last time any driver had such a lap was Bill Elliott's 203.827 mph at Talladega in 1987. Only two other drivers have won a pole at over 200mph, Cale Yarborough and Benny Parsons.
"There is no I in team and I am part of a great car to get this pole today. We've had a great car from the moment we got here. We've gotten under some things that really helped my feel behind the wheel and allowed us to get better setups.
"We knew we had a good car going into today's session and I just needed to do the same thing I did yesterday at the end of the second practice. We threw down a lap and played a good strategy."
It was Ambrose's first Sprint Cup Pole.
Kevin Harvick was second quick in the Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at 202.037 mph followed by Greg Biffle in a Roush Fenway Racing Ford at 201.826 mph.
There were 18 drivers over the 200 mph threshold and 38 beating the previous track record set by Ryan Newman (194.232 mph), set in 2005.
Ambrose may not have too much time to enjoy his achievement as Goodyear brought a new left side tire due to complaints of blistering at the newly repaved track. NASCAR allowed an additional 75-minute practice session on Saturday evening help set up the cars for Sunday's 400 miler at the two mile oval.
"I promised myself after winning Watkins Glen that I was going to win on an oval before I got to the next road course race because I wanted to get that monkey off my back and prove to the world that I am an oval driver and road course racer," Ambrose added.
"I have Sunday to get that done so the pressure is on (Sonoma is the next race)."
David Stremme and Tracy Compton failed to qualify.
Driving a Richard Petty Motorsport Ford Ambrose won the pole at Michigan International Speedway at 203.241 mph. It was the 11th fastest pole in NASCAR and first at a non-restrictor plate track.
The last time any driver had such a lap was Bill Elliott's 203.827 mph at Talladega in 1987. Only two other drivers have won a pole at over 200mph, Cale Yarborough and Benny Parsons.
"There is no I in team and I am part of a great car to get this pole today. We've had a great car from the moment we got here. We've gotten under some things that really helped my feel behind the wheel and allowed us to get better setups.
"We knew we had a good car going into today's session and I just needed to do the same thing I did yesterday at the end of the second practice. We threw down a lap and played a good strategy."
It was Ambrose's first Sprint Cup Pole.
Kevin Harvick was second quick in the Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at 202.037 mph followed by Greg Biffle in a Roush Fenway Racing Ford at 201.826 mph.
There were 18 drivers over the 200 mph threshold and 38 beating the previous track record set by Ryan Newman (194.232 mph), set in 2005.
Ambrose may not have too much time to enjoy his achievement as Goodyear brought a new left side tire due to complaints of blistering at the newly repaved track. NASCAR allowed an additional 75-minute practice session on Saturday evening help set up the cars for Sunday's 400 miler at the two mile oval.
"I promised myself after winning Watkins Glen that I was going to win on an oval before I got to the next road course race because I wanted to get that monkey off my back and prove to the world that I am an oval driver and road course racer," Ambrose added.
"I have Sunday to get that done so the pressure is on (Sonoma is the next race)."
David Stremme and Tracy Compton failed to qualify.