On Track - Friday 5/1

As we gear up for night racin' @ Richmond, there's been a lot going on at the track... during the daytime hours.

Cars were first out on the track beginning bright and early at 9 with Nationwide Series final practice. Kevin Harvick posted the fastest speed in his own Kevin Harvick Inc #33.
2. Carl Edwards
3. Mark Martin
4. Mike Bliss
5. Kyle Busch.

Martin Truex Jr was fastest during the first Cup practice session today.
2. Ryan Newman
3. David Reutimann
4. Kyle Busch
5. Dave Blaney

There were 2 incidents within the few minutes of the practice session. Juan Pablo Montoya and Dale Earnhardt Jr had contact at the start of the session. Earnhardt Jr's tire was cut down and he spun. Soon after, Greg Biffle went for a spin and slid into the infield. Both drivers suffered minimal damage.

Jimmie Johnson was fastest during Happy Hour.
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Brian Vickers
4. David Reutimann
5. Kurt Busch

Following Sprint Cup Happy Hour was Nationwide Series Qualifying followed by Cup qualifying.
Driving the CitiFinancial #16 Ford, Matt Kenseth won the Coors Light Pole Award for the Lipton TEA 250 at 124.821 mph. It's his 15th pole in 234 series races and his 2nd in the series @ Richmond.

Mike Bliss posted the 2nd fastest qualifying speed followed by Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Mark Martin and Scott Wimmer for the 1st 3 rows.

Brian Vickers won the pole position for the Cup Series 300-miler tomorrow night.

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images
"The car was unbelievable," Vickers said following. "I told the guys when I came across the line that it was a pretty good one. Whether it was going to be able to hold up, I wasn't sure".

Vickers turned a lap at 127.131 mph. The 2nd pole of the season for Vickers this season and since the Auto Club Speedway, Fontana. It's also Vickers' second pole @ Richmond. He still holds the track qualifying record from 5 years ago at 129.983 mph set on May 15, 2004.

Jeff Gordon turned a lap at 126.844 - good for second and outside the front row. Denny Hamlin starts 3rd followed by Martin Truex Jr, Jeff Burton, Mike Bliss, Mark Martin, Scott Speed, David Reutimann and Ryan Newman - with top 10 starting spots.