Wallace is the man to beat

His Ford has been fastest in both practice and qualifying at the International Speedway for the $2 milllion Dura Lube 300.

'Every time you go out it's like a race, that's how big it's gotten,' Wallace said.

'I've won the first practice and I've won qualifying, so now I've got to win the big one.'

Saturday was thr only opportunity for practice and qualifying, as the teams and spectators were forced to abandon activity on Friday because of Hurrican Floyd, which has been lashing the east coast of America.

Winston Cup points leader Dale Jarrett start alongside Wallace on the front row of the grid.

However, Wallace believes the main threat may come from elsewhere, not just from the man alongside him.

'That 99 car of Jeff Burton is always strong here, so if you take those guys right there, I think you've got who you've got to shoot for,' he said.

This is Wallace's third pole of the season and 25th of his career, but he's more interested in getting his 50th career victory.

'I'd trade those three poles for three wins.

'I used to qualify not good and run really good in the race. Now, I'm qualifying really good and struggling in my long runs.'

In third is Ken Schrader, joined by fourth-placed Kevin Lepage.