On Track - Friday 5/8

Dodging rain drops this afternoon @ Darlington. A shower went through just in time to wash out Nationwide Series qualifying. The starting line-up will be set according to the series rulebook.

For the NNS starting line-up, click here.

The Nationwide Series drivers were able to squeeze in their only practice on the track early in the morning (8:30-11 am). Mike Bliss was fastest. Jason Leffler was second quickest followed by Justin Allgaier, Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth.

The last 3 Nationwide Series races were won by Joe Gibbs Racing's #20 piloted for 2 wins by Denny Hamlin and last year by Tony Stewart. Joey Logano is in the 20-ride this weekend. He'll start the race in the 4th starting spot.

Brain Vickers posted the fastest practice speed during the Sprint Cup Series practice session (11:30 am - 1 pm).
2. Greg Biffle
3. David Gilliland
4. Carl Edwards
5. David Stremme

Jeff Gordon was fastest during Happy Hour.
2. Jeff Burton
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Mark Martin

Per Darlington fashion, drivers found the wall. Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Denny Hamlin, Max Papis, Greg Biffle, AJ Allmendinger, Marcos Ambrose and Bobby Labonte scraped the wall during practice. David Stremme, David Reutimann and Scott Speed were forced to go to back-up cars. Sam Hornish Jr took a spin during the final practice session, but didn't cause any damage.

Stewart's "Darlington Stripe" after practice. (Photo by: Chris Trotman/Getty Images)



Sprint Cup Series Qualifying started 40 minutes later than scheduled as the rain had stopped and the track was ready. Matt Kenseth won the Coors Light Pole Award with a lap of 27.394 seconds at 179.514 mph - sets a new a track record. It's the first pole since Kansas, October 2005 and just his 4th pole in 339 series races.

Jimmie Johnson crashed during his qualifying run. He slid in turn 2, hit the wall with the back end then bounced into the interior wall with the front end. Johnson's crew ran out to help him. He was taken to the infield care center and released shortly after. He qualified for the race by owner's points and will start 42nd.



"I hate what happened to Jimmie," Jeff Gordon said after the qualifying set was over. "I know they've got another great car in the truck. They're a championship caliber team. They'll rebound, I'm sure, in a big way."

Jeff Gordon will roll off second. Ryan Newman - third. Sam Hornish Jr - 4th. Joey Logano - 5th.
Last week's race winner Kyle Busch qualified 14th.

For the NSCS starting line-up, click here.