Busch qualifying: Dale Jr goes fourth

Earnhardt, who will drive the number 3 Busch car this weekend as well as his regular number 8 Winston Cup car, was less than two-tenths off the pace of polesitter Joe Nemechek. David Green (Dodge) and Randy LaJoie also eclipsed his time.

Saturday's race will mark the first time that the number 3 has been used at a major NASCAR-sanctioned event since the death of Earnhardt Sr in last year's Daytona 500. Earnhardt Jr will also race the car, which is run by Richard Childress Racing and sponsored by Oreo, at Charlotte in May.


1, Joe Nemechek, Pontiac, 48.320s, 186.254mph
2, David Green, Dodge, 48.449s, 185.762mph
3, Randy LaJoie, Chevrolet, 48.504s, 185.551mph
4, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Chevrolet, 48.511s, 185.524mph
5, Jeff Fuller, Chevrolet, 48.514s, 185.509mph
6, Stacy Compton, Chevrolet, 48.638s, 185.036mph
7, Johnny Sauter, Chevrolet, 48.674s, 184.899mph
8, Hank Parker Jr, Dodge, 48.691s, 184.839mph
9, Ricky Hendrick, Chevrolet, 48.723s, 184.713mph
10, Jeff Green, Chevrolet, 48.766s, 184.550mph