Martin And Earnhardt Jr. Earn Front Row For Daytona 500
by Joe Jennings
2/6/2010

Tweet

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Mark Martin flew around the Daytona International Speedway at 191.188 miles per hour to gain his first pole position for the Daytona 500. The wily veteran driver drove the GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, one of four Hendrick Motorsports cars.

In earning the premier position for the Great American Race, Martin gained his 49th career pole and became the oldest driver, 51, to do so at Daytona.

"It is just incredible to be behind the wheel of the No. 5 car," Martin said. "For years, I've watched with envy the guys that set on the front row. A year ago, we made it to the front row and were close to the pole. My guys stepped up to the plate this year, and I am pleased that Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. is joining me in the front row."

Martin credited crew chief Alan Gustafson and the crew for today's success. "Countless hours went into what we did down here, working a lot of hours, and it paid off," Gustafson said.

Teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. nearly equaled his teammate with a speed of 190.577 mph in the AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet.

Earnhardt thought he had the motor to win the pole. "I felt liked I had the opportunity, and we put down a pretty good lap, although I knew Mark (Martin) was going to be strong," he said. "Being on the front row is a testament to the engine shop and fabricators, as they make the difference at Daytona."

Said owner Rick Hendrick, "Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is a race in itself. Doing well in Daytona qualifying is like going to the Super Bowl."

Daytona 500 qualifying rules are different from others races, and Martin and Earnhardt are the only two with guaranteed starting positions for the 500. The remainder of the starting line-up will be determined Thursday based on the results of the two Gatorade Duel 150s and a succession of rules involving finishing positions in the two races and qualifying times.

Fifty-four cars took a qualification time Saturday afternoon. Traditionally, Daytona 500 qualifications are held on Sunday, but due to a conflict with the Super Bowl programming, the time trails were moved ahead one day.

Ryan Newman had the third fastest time in a Chevrolet at 190.577 mph and Bill Elliott, a two-time 500 race winner and four-time pole winner, shocked many by pushing his Ford to the fourth fastest time of 190.573 mph.

Newman said high winds affected his performance.

Said Elliott, "This is a gorgeous race car, very well put together and I'm just proud to race it come (next) Sunday afternoon."

The fifth and sixth fastest qualifiers were Juan Pablo Montoya and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson.

Montoya also addressed the wind and Johnson said he was pleased with the result, as his team was focused on race preparations.

Kurt Busch qualified a Dodge seventh with Clint Bowyer next to him in another Chevrolet.

Kyle Busch in a Toyota and Jeff Gordon in a Chevrolet rounded out the top-10 qualifiers.

2009 Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth timed 11th fastest.

Thirteen of the slowest 18 qualifiers were in the "must qualify on time" category, and Norm Benning was the slowest at 180 mph.





Discuss this article and more in the RacingNation.com community

Print    Favorites    digg    del.ico.us    My Web    Google