The latest auto news, reviews, prices, product and vehicle releases. Sep
21st
Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Ryan Newman set a track record, knocking Kahne off the provisional pole, for the race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It his seventh pole at the track, second of the season and 51st in his career.
It was the 16th time the Gen-6 set qualifying record.
“Thought that Kasey's lap was the lap to beat,” Newman said. “It all came down to the track cooling down.”
Newman, who toured the flat one-mile oval at 136.497 mph, said that track position was crucial to a chance to win because there are so few passing opportunities. He noted that he had said, many times before, “this is the birthplace of track position.”
Chevrolets, including Newman's, grabbed the first four spots in qualifying while 10 of the fast 12 cars were driven by those in the Chase including Newman's.
Martin Truex Jr. who learned that his Michael Waltrip Racing sponsor was exiting the team prematurely at the end of the year had the fastest Toyota in fifth spot.
Joey Logano had the fastest Ford in the sixth spot. While series points leader, Matt Kenseth, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, was ninth.
“We had a really good lap,” said Kahne who turned his fast lap at 136.082mph We went out early (in the day) and felt like I missed it off of (turn) two, just got beat here at the end.
Jeff Gordon, who was added as the 13th Chaser, was confident. “It feels good that we're peaking now,” he said. “This is a great way to get the weekend started and great way to get the Chase started.” Gordon was the last driver to beat the old track record of 135.922mph set by Brad Keselowski in July.
Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, and third in the point's standings, Jimmie Johnson, was 10th fastest. And Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth's teammate and second in the standings, will start 11th in Sunday's race.
Carl Edwards, one of the Chasers, qualified 26th and thus the team was in hole before the race started. “That didn't go very well,” the Ford driver said “At least we're looking at the good side of my race car; the clean side because I hit the fence with the other side.”
Qualifying witnessed one freak accident, which fortunately did not produce any injuries.
Josh Wise had a right front absorber break loosed from the car and explode out of the fender. “The right-front tire broke...and I just went straight into the wall.”
Because only 43 cars showed up for Sunday's race none of the teams went home.
It was the 16th time the Gen-6 set qualifying record.
“Thought that Kasey's lap was the lap to beat,” Newman said. “It all came down to the track cooling down.”
Newman, who toured the flat one-mile oval at 136.497 mph, said that track position was crucial to a chance to win because there are so few passing opportunities. He noted that he had said, many times before, “this is the birthplace of track position.”
 |
| Photo: ryannewman.com |
Chevrolets, including Newman's, grabbed the first four spots in qualifying while 10 of the fast 12 cars were driven by those in the Chase including Newman's.
Martin Truex Jr. who learned that his Michael Waltrip Racing sponsor was exiting the team prematurely at the end of the year had the fastest Toyota in fifth spot.
Joey Logano had the fastest Ford in the sixth spot. While series points leader, Matt Kenseth, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, was ninth.
“We had a really good lap,” said Kahne who turned his fast lap at 136.082mph We went out early (in the day) and felt like I missed it off of (turn) two, just got beat here at the end.
Jeff Gordon, who was added as the 13th Chaser, was confident. “It feels good that we're peaking now,” he said. “This is a great way to get the weekend started and great way to get the Chase started.” Gordon was the last driver to beat the old track record of 135.922mph set by Brad Keselowski in July.
Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, and third in the point's standings, Jimmie Johnson, was 10th fastest. And Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth's teammate and second in the standings, will start 11th in Sunday's race.
Carl Edwards, one of the Chasers, qualified 26th and thus the team was in hole before the race started. “That didn't go very well,” the Ford driver said “At least we're looking at the good side of my race car; the clean side because I hit the fence with the other side.”
Qualifying witnessed one freak accident, which fortunately did not produce any injuries.
Josh Wise had a right front absorber break loosed from the car and explode out of the fender. “The right-front tire broke...and I just went straight into the wall.”
Because only 43 cars showed up for Sunday's race none of the teams went home.