Qualifying: Rain stops play

Off-and-on drizzle through the afternoon turned to steady rain at night, leading to a suspension of Thursday's time trials at Lowe's (Charlotte) Motor Speedway

Oct 11, 2002, 5:32 AM

Qualifying for Sunday's UAW/GM 500 began as scheduled and 18 cars managed to set timed laps before the heavier rain arrived. The rain relented briefly and officials attempted for more than an hour to dry the track. The heavy rain returned, however, and trials were called off.

Qualifying is scheduled to resume on Friday morning, conditions permitting. Thursday's times will stand if all cars are qualified on Friday. If trials can not be completed, the field will be lined up by championship order.

Of those who got on the track, Jerry Nadeau set the fastest time, running 29.247sec (184.666mph). Michael Waltrip was second, Jeff Gordon third, Bill Elliott fourth and Kevin Harvick fifth. Also having run were Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Jarrett.

Matt Kenseth, who did not complete his lap, will be the first on the clock in the morning. Others who have not yet run are Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin.