BROOKLYN, Mich. (Aug. 18, 2006) – Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch picked up more than three-tenths of a second between his practice lap and his qualifying lap here today at Michigan International Speedway, but the end result sees him starting 16th in Sunday’s GFS Marketplace 400 NEXTEL Cup race.
At the disadvantage of having to go out second in the qualifying order, KB still has confidence that he’ll have a strong car here for Sunday’s GFS Marketplace 400.
“I hit one and two really good with the Miller Lite Dodge,” KB said, after turning in his official lap of 185.247 mph (38.867 seconds). He had earlier turned in the 13th fastest practice lap (183.613 mph/39.213 seconds). “It was a little tight in four. I had to peddle it like a top fuel car when you spin your tires. We laid down a pretty good lap. I’m just jumping out of the Grand National car. A couple of guys might be able to bump us, but I’m happy with picking up the time we picked up from practice. I left the door open a little bit. It seems like turn four keeps getting tighter and tighter every time we come back with these style setups.”
Jeff Burton, fourth from the end in the qualifying order, knocked Elliott Sadler, making his first run as the replacement for Jeremy Mayfield in the No. 19 Dodge, off the pole with his fast lap of 187.936 mph (38.311 seconds). Sadler’s 187.071 mph (38.488 second) lap earned him the outside-front-row starting spot.
Today’s Top 20 Qualifiers:
1. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 187.936 mph.
2. (19) Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 187.071 mph.
3. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 186.804 mph.
4. (12) Ryan Newman, Dodge, 186.800 mph.
5. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 186.509 mph.
6. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 186.403 mph.
7. (42) Casey Mears, Dodge, 186.027 mph.
8. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 185.970 mph.
9. (11) Denny Hamlin, Chevrolet, 185.720 mph.
10. (14) Sterling Marlin, Chevrolet, 185.696 mph.
11. (5) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 185.591 mph.
12. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 185.486 mph.
13. (01) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 185.347 mph.
14. (6) Mark Martin, Ford, 185.314 mph.
15. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 185.300 mph.
16. (2) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 185.247 mph.
17. (8) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 185.014 mph.
18. (1) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 184.814 mph.
19. (22) Dave Blaney, Dodge, 184.705 mph.
20. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 184.606 mph.
Saturday’s schedule here at M.I.S. calls for Cup practice sessions from 9:00 a.m. till 10:00 a.m. and from 10:35 a.m. till 11:20 a.m. (airs at 2:00 p.m. on Speed). Qualifying for the CarFax 250 NBS race is set for 11:40 a.m. (live on Speed), with that 125-lap, 250-mile battle getting the green flag at 2:55 p.m. Sunday’s GFS Marketplace 400 NEXTEL Cup race (200 laps, 400 miles) has a 2:30 p.m. EDT starting time. TNT-TV and MRN Radio will provide live coverage of both races.
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