Jarrett Captures Las Vegas 400 Pole

Dale Jarrett could only chuckle and shake his head in wonder Friday after winning the pole position for the Las Vegas 400.

Jarrett isn’t known as a great qualifier, and his chief goal in the opening round of time trials for Sunday’s inaugural Winston Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was to “make it into the top 25.”

That was no problem as he drove his Robert Yates Ford Taurus around the slightly banked 1-1/2-mile oval at a surprising 168.224 mph, easily the quickest lap turned in since practice opened Thursday.

Spokane’s Chad Little qualified 17th at 165.446 mph.

Until Jarrett went out late in the 51-car session, it appeared Geoff Bodine would have the honor of the first Winston Cup pole at Las Vegas. His lap of 167.411 seemed untouchable until Jarrett’s surprising run.

“It blew me away that we could do that,” Jarrett said. “When we saw he (Bodine) did that, I just shook my head. I didn’t think anybody could do that, and I sure didn’t think I would have any chance of knocking him off.”

Drivers too slow to be in the top 25 will have another opportunity to make the 43-car field, either by standing on their Friday lap or trying again today.

Martin on Sam’s 300 pole

Mark Martin, the all-time leading winner in NASCAR’s Busch Grand National series, took the pole for today’s Sam’s 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The Winston Cup regular led Friday’s single round of qualifying, turning a lap of 162.577 mph on the 1-1/2-mile oval in his Roush Racing Ford.

Trickle makes tearful appearance

Race car driver Chris Trickle made his first public appearance since being shot between the eyes a year ago.

Trickle, in a wheelchair, appeared with his family at a fund-raiser in his honor Thursday at the Santa Fe hotel-casino in Las Vegas. About 450 people attended. The event raised $20,297 through donations, T-shirt sales and a memorabilia raffle.

The 25-year-old was shot the night of Feb. 9, 1997, as he drove eastbound across the Interstate 15 overpass on Blue Diamond Road, on the southern edge of Las Vegas.

No arrests have been made and police have no leads.

Trickle, who has extensive brain damage and cannot speak or care for himself, began to cry when he entered the room. Several people in the room cried, too.

He continues to slip in and out of a coma. He fell asleep several times Thursday as fans tried to wish him well.