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9th
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Brad Keselowski, the defending 2012 Sprint Cup Champion, got a gift when rain washed out qualifying at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Under NASCAR rules, this early in the season the 43-car grid is set by the final, 2012, points standings. And Clint Bowyer will start second alongside Keselowski.
“Yeah, that is a really good deal,” Keselowski said. “It is one of the perks I guess of being the champion in the first few races. Obviously with the rain coming you are kind of getting a great deal there. That is the first time I have had a decent starting position in a rainout. That is great.”
Looking ahead to the race, Keselowski, who has finished fourth in Daytona and Phoenix, would like to get back in the win column.
“Obviously whenever you can start up front it is a big deal and you get the first pit stall and all those things that make a big difference on pit road,” Keselowski continued.
“The way our car has been running the last two weeks, and off of what I saw in practice yesterday I feel like we are in position to hopefully keep that for a very long time in the race and hopefully close it out. We have been really close to doing that the last two weeks. We were in position to win and just came up a little bit short. Hopefully this will be the catalyst we need to close it out.”
Five-time champion, Jimmie Johnson, will start third followed by Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle.
Danica Patrick will start 37th , by virtue of Stewart Haas purchasing points, and Mike Bliss is the only driver who will be sent home.
Under NASCAR rules, this early in the season the 43-car grid is set by the final, 2012, points standings. And Clint Bowyer will start second alongside Keselowski.
“Yeah, that is a really good deal,” Keselowski said. “It is one of the perks I guess of being the champion in the first few races. Obviously with the rain coming you are kind of getting a great deal there. That is the first time I have had a decent starting position in a rainout. That is great.”
Looking ahead to the race, Keselowski, who has finished fourth in Daytona and Phoenix, would like to get back in the win column.
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| Qualifying was rained out in Las Vegas (Photo: NASCAR.com) |
“Obviously whenever you can start up front it is a big deal and you get the first pit stall and all those things that make a big difference on pit road,” Keselowski continued.
“The way our car has been running the last two weeks, and off of what I saw in practice yesterday I feel like we are in position to hopefully keep that for a very long time in the race and hopefully close it out. We have been really close to doing that the last two weeks. We were in position to win and just came up a little bit short. Hopefully this will be the catalyst we need to close it out.”
Five-time champion, Jimmie Johnson, will start third followed by Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle.
Danica Patrick will start 37th , by virtue of Stewart Haas purchasing points, and Mike Bliss is the only driver who will be sent home.