Another pole for Newman
Ryan Newman, who a year ago snapped off the first sub-14sec qualifying lap in the history of Bristol Motor Speedway, repeated for the pole Friday in time trials for the Food City 500. It is Newman's third pole of the year
Newman, only 10th-fastest in practice, turned it on with a fast lap in 14.954sec (128.314mph), a shade short of his year-old track record (14.908). Whereas Newman beat the field by a full tenth last year, he barely nipped practice leader Jeff Gordon this time around, with Gordon running 14.957s.
Greg Biffle was third, with Rusty Wallace fourth and fab freshman Kasey Kahne fifth. Kurt Busch, who won both races here last year and three of the past four overall, qualified 13th at 15.126.
Among the points leaders, Matt Kenseth was 23rd, about like usual, with Dale Earnhardt Jr 18th and Tony Stewart 12th.
The usual privateers brought up the rear, although Geoff Bodine (driving the No. 98 originally entered for Larry Gunselman), Derrike Cope and Stanton Barrett made the grid on speed. Joe Ruttman, Kirk Shelmerdine, Hermie Sadler and Andy Hillenburg got in with provisionals. Only Morgan Shepherd failed to make the show.
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