Newman ends NASCAR pole drought
Ryan Newman thought a little rain might extend his pole drought.
Instead, the rain only delayed the wait and didn’t keep Newman from putting himself on the pole for the first time this season with a lap of 154.633 mph Friday at Dover (Del.) International Speedway.
Newman has a 36 career poles in 165 starts – but none of them had come this year, breaking a 14-race streak without one. Rain interrupted the qualifying session and could have wiped out the lap had it continued.
“That was my initial feeling,” he said. “That was definitely a big gainer. Mother Nature did work out for us.”
Jeremy Mayfield joins him on the front row for Sunday’s race after a lap of 154.361. Jeff Gordon was third at 154.063 and Kurt Busch fourth at 153.774.
“I thought we were going to be closer to Ryan, but Ryan put up a great number and a really fast lap,” Gordon said.
Nextel Cup points leader Jimmie Johnson starts a season-worst 42nd, but it could have been worse.
Johnson lost control of his No. 48 Chevrolet as he finished his first qualifying lap, with the car spinning out of control. Remarkably, Johnson maintained his control, putting the car maybe only a foot away from the wall but never hitting it.
He may have torn up the grass, but his car remained intact.
“Somehow, someway, I kept it off the wall,” Johnson said. “I’m shocked. My guys are happy. It’s like we won the pole the way everybody was jumping and down. If I can’t win the pole, at least I can put on a show.”
Busch apologizes
The next time Kyle Busch tosses a part at another car, dishes a retaliatory bump, or mouths off to a rival driver in the garage, it could be the last time he’s racing for a while.
The talented but tantrum-prone Busch knows he has to curtail his often-fiery behavior for the rest of the NASCAR season or else face a possible suspension that would end his run at a title.
Busch said he’s sorry – again – and he’s really ready to change his behavior. Honest.
“It’s a tough situation to have to go through,” Busch said.
Rudd fills in for Stewart
Rather than firing up the lawn mower this weekend at his North Carolina farm, Ricky Rudd will circle the track one more time in something a bit more powerful.
Rudd is ending his self-imposed sabbatical – don’t call it retirement – and will be a relief driver for injured NASCAR champion Tony Stewart at Dover International Speedway. Stewart will start Sunday’s race, then probably come out at the first caution to rest his broken shoulder blade.
Rudd believes he’s ready to shoulder the load for the defending champ.
“It was a real, real tough call,” Rudd said, smiling. “Do I cut grass for six hours a day this weekend or do I go out to Dover and drive a race car? It wasn’t a real hard decision.”
Martin wins truck race
No wonder Mark Martin wants to run the full Craftsman Truck Series schedule so badly.
He’s having a blast racking up the wins.
Martin drove his No. 6 Ford to an easy victory at Dover International Speedway, beating fellow Nextel Cup star Carl Edwards by 3.052 seconds. It was Martin’s third win in six races this season and gave team owner Jack Roush the top two spots.
“We set it up to race well and it raced well,” Martin said. “The truck racing is the most fun I’ve had in years and years.”
Todd Bodine, who finished third, extended his lead in the points standings to 76 over Ted Musgrave.