Rain thwarts road racers

The vagaries of NASCAR's qualifying system means that the grid was formed in points order from first to 35th place. Positions 36 through 43 were filled on the basis of prior attempts this season, called provisionals.

Although heavy overnight rain ceased at midday, NASCAR pronounced the track undriveable at 2pm local time. Even on road courses, NASCAR does not run track sessions in the wet as rain tyres are not brought to the circuits. More wet weather is on the way, according to forecasts, making the outlook for the rest of the week decidedly dodgy.

NASCAR spent three hours attempting to dry the track, but the problem was hydraulic seepage through cracks in the pavement at Watkins Glen. "It's bubbling up all around the track," tour director John Darby said. Similar problems have occurred in recent years at Richmond and Pocono, with the Richmond track since being repaved.

Points leaders Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon filled the front row, and the only 'road-ringer' to make the field was Ron Fellows, who will start a DEI Chevrolet from the back of the field. German Klaus Graf also failed to make the cut as he only has one start to his name this year.