Posts by Day: Monday, April 07, 2008
Posted 4/7/2008 @ 5:53:00 am by dalejrandnascar.com
 (Compliments of Foxsports)After the horrible crash by Michael McDowell of Glendale, AZ, and a long wait while the safer barrier was repaired and the track cleared and cleaned, Dale Jr. won the pole at Texas Motor Speedway’s Samsung 500 with a fast lap of 190.907 mph Friday, his first pole since Pocono last August, 22 races ago! He is the third driver to earn a pole for Hendrick this year, and the most consistent, with 4 consecutive top 10’s. “The car handled really good,” said Dale Jr.. “It could be a good weekend for us.” But after leading the first 13 laps, the National Guard Chevrolet #88 fell back, finishing 12th, 1 lap down. Carl Edwards went on to set a blistering pace, leaving only 10 cars in the lead lap by the end of the race. Jr. is still 4th in points. Ryan Newman finished 4th, but failed post race inspection. The right-rear side of the #12 Penske Dodge did not match the height sticks. I’m sure NASCAR will hand down a penalty later this week. When the car is too high on the right side it is an advantage in downforce. Everyone knows Cheerios is going to RCR in 2009, but who is going to drive it? Bobbie Labonte has yet to sign with Petty Enterprises, and considering his good standing with Cheerios, would seem the natural choice. But Tony Stewart has yet to sign with Gibbs, and now Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards’ names have been tossed into the ring. And what about UPS now that Dale Jarrett has retired? Will they stay with MWR? |
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