KURT BUSCH STARTS 10TH IN SATURDAY’S DODGE 500 AT DARLINGTON
-Miller Lite Dodge Driver Thinks Car Will Be Capable Of Winning; Loves Saturday Night Racing-

DARLINGTON, S.C. (May 12, 2006) – Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch will start 10th in tomorrow night’s Dodge Charger 500 here at Darlington Raceway after turning in a lap of 167.146 mph (29.421 seconds) in this afternoon’s qualifying session. 

            “This place is fun,” Busch said after making his run.  (Turns) One and two are completely different than three and four. We left a little bit of time on the table in turn two. It got a little tight over there. It was a great run for the Miller Lite Dodge. It feels good to be back at Darlington.”

Busch was one of four Dodge Charger drivers to take top-10 starting spots.  That group was led by front-row-qualifiers Kasey Kahne and Penske Racing teammate Ryan Newman.  Kahne picked up the pole, after clocking in with a lap of 168.013 mph (29.096 seconds).  Newman turned in a 168.192 mph (29.238 seconds) lap to earn the second starting spot.

Rookies Clint Bowyer, David Stremme and Denny Hamlin took positions three through five, with Elliott Sadler, Carl Edwards, Brisn Vickers, Greg Biffle and Busch rounding out the top 10.   Bobby Labonte, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and Jamie McMurray completed the first 15 qualifiers.

“This is the same car we had at Atlanta, where we were running a strong third and got crashed out of a great finish,” Busch offered.  “We know it’ll be strong in the race and capable of winning.  The fans will get a great show here tomorrow night under the lights.  I love Saturday night racing and we’re hoping to give our fans something to cheer about her tomorrow night.”

Saturday’s Dodge Charger 500 has a 6:55 p.m. start.  The 367-lap, 501.3-mile battle features live coverage by FOX-TV and MRN Radio beginning at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

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