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An afternoon rain shower is hardly unusual in Florida.
Tony Stewart starting on the pole because of a qualifying rainout is becoming almost as commonplace.
NASCAR canceled Friday’s time trials at Daytona International Speedway after a thunderstorm drenched the track, and as a result, the Sprint Cup points leader will start from the top spot because of rain for the third time this season. NASCAR.com
“It really doesn’t matter anyway,” he said. “In a Cup race, if your car is good enough to get to the front, you can do it from dead last, so it really doesn’t matter if you start from the pole or not. The advantage is it gives us a good pit selection. That’s what helps. Other than that, it’s really not an issue.”
Starting from the front has proven beneficial for Stewart, though. His first points-race win as a driver/car owner came at Pocono, and he finished fifth at New Hampshire. His only Daytona pole came in July 2005, when he won his first race at NASCAR’s most famous track.
Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin rounded out the first three rows. The Associated Press
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Daytona International Speedway - Race Line-Up
Saturday’s race is the second this year at Daytona International Speedway; the first was the season-opening Daytona 500, in February. The track might be the same as it was in February, but there will be a noticeable difference to the drivers in Saturday’s race.
The air is much stickier now, and cars will handle differently. This race, 100 miles shorter than February’s, also will be run completely under the lights.
‘‘It’s night and day,’’ said Jeff Gordon, who will start second Saturday, on the inside of Stewart. ``The track temperature is so much higher, and you really just slide around.
Said Stewart: ``Handling is always a big issue at Daytona. That’s what makes racing here so much fun—because it’s a handling issue, not so much strategy or being in the right place at the right time. You have a good, balanced car to get to the front and stay at the front. I’m excited to get out there.’’ MiamiHerald.com
