Nemechek Takes First Pole
Joe Nemechek has landed his first NASCAR nextel Cup pole position of the season at Michigan International Speedway, just four races before the Chase for the Cup begins
Nemecheck, currently 17th in the points standing, will most likely not be taking part of the Chase, but he hoped the first pole of the season will lead to better race results - after his season best was third at Pocono last month.
"I hope this is a turn for our luck for the season, re're looking forward to good things," Nemechek said, after qualifying his Chevy with a lap of 191.581 mph.
Nemechek, however, nearly lost his maiden 2005 pole, when rain hit the Speedway after 43 of the 48 drivers had already run their qualifying lap.
The rest of the session was delayed by nearly an hour, and any further delay would have meant that the grid would have been set by the points standings, according to NASCAR rules.
"At first I thought I was going to get robbed," Nemechek said, relieved.
Alongside Nemechek on the front row will start Jeff Gordon, with Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch on the second row, in third and fourth respectively.
Points leader Tony Stewart qualified only 36th, but he remained calm about his prospects, having won five races in the last seven and is almost a guarantee to take part in the Chase.
"We're trying to win a Championship," Stewart said. "[The car] was all right. I'm pretty excited and I think it's going to be good for tomorrow."
Pos Driver Make Speed 1. Joe Nemechek Chevrolet 191.530 2. Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 191.352 3. Kasey Kahne Dodge 191.260 4. Kyle Busch Chevrolet 191.047 5. Ryan Newman Dodge 191.022 6. Mike Bliss Chevrolet 190.936 7. Brian Vickers Chevrolet 190.759 8. Elliott Sadler Ford 190.290 9. Ricky Rudd Ford 190.255 10. Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 189.999 11. Jeremy Mayfield Dodge 189.943 12. Carl Edwards Ford 189.803 13. Matt Kenseth Ford 189.718 14. Mark Martin Ford 189.499 15. Tony Raines Dodge 189.309 16. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet 189.250 17. Kurt Busch Ford 189.125 18. Bobby Labonte Chevrolet 189.026 19. Scott Riggs Chevrolet 188.947 20. Terry Labonte Chevrolet 188.818 21. Stuart Kirby Chevrolet 188.768 22. Scott Wimmer Dodge 188.576 23. John Andretti Chevrolet 188.551 24. Michael Waltrip Chevrolet 188.501 25. Dave Blaney Chevrolet 188.437 26. Jeff Green Dodge 188.304 27. Ken Schrader Dodge 188.171 28. Jamie McMurray Dodge 188.137 29. Bill Elliott Dodge 188.127 30. Casey Mears Dodge 188.068 31. Greg Biffle Ford 188.029 32. Jimmy Spencer Ford 187.936 33. Dale Jarrett Ford 187.803 34. Johnny Benson Chevrolet 187.793 35. Kyle Petty Dodge 187.671 36. Tony Stewart Chevrolet 187.583 37. Sterling Marlin Dodge 187.500 38. Rusty Wallace Dodge 187.281 39. Robby Gordon Chevrolet 186.998 40. Jeff Burton Chevrolet 186.863 41. Travis Kvapil Dodge 185.854 42. Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 185.529 43. Bobby Hamilton Jr. Chevrolet 186.911
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