Chase contender Denny Hamlin turned in the
fastest lap in Friday's Sprint Cup Series qualifying at California Speedway to
claim the pole for the Pepsi 500.
Hamlin, the third driver to qualify in the 45-car field, lapped the two-mile
track at 183.870 m.p.h. (39.158 seconds) for his seventh career pole in the
series, but his first since May 2008 at Richmond. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver
is currently 99 points behind leader Mark Martin heading into the fourth race
of the Chase.
"It's been a long time for me, especially on a track like this," Hamlin said.
"Our big track program -- mile-and-a-half and two-mile programs -- have been
getting better and better. It's kind of our strong suit at this point."
David Reutimann, who is not in the Chase, qualified second, but his time was
disallowed after his Toyota failed post-qualifying inspection. NASCAR
confiscated Reutimann's rear shocks after the gas level in the shocks were
found to be too high. He will start 42nd.
Therefore, Greg Biffle will start second, followed by Jimmie Johnson and Juan
Pablo Montoya. All three are Chase drivers. Johnson, a native of nearby El
Cajon, CA, won last year's fall race at his hometrack.
"Obviously, we wish we had a little bit more speed, but [Hamlin] put down one
heck of a lap," said Johnson, who trails Martin by just 18 points.
Montoya, currently third in points (-33), damaged the right-rear of his car
after making slight contact with the wall during his second qualifying lap. He
is not expected to use a backup car.
"I just hit the fence a little bit and just ran out of talent I guess,"
Montoya said.
Martin Truex Jr. completed the top-five.
Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Martin and Jeff Gordon, who is
seventh in points, will start sixth through 10th, respectively.
Ryan Newman qualified the worst among the 12 Chase drivers with a
disappointing 36th starting position.
The remaining Chase drivers and their starting positions include: Carl Edwards
(11th), Tony Stewart (20th), Kurt Busch (24th), Kasey Kahne (25th) and Brian
Vickers (32nd).
Tony Raines and Mike Wallace failed to qualify.
Sunday's 400-mile race is scheduled to start just after 3:15 p.m. (et).
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