Ryan Newman set a qualifying record at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Friday to win the pole for Sunday’s Sprint Cup race.
Newman was timed in 135.232 mph in his qualifying lap and will be on the front row with his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Tony Stewart.
The previous record at New Hampshire was 133.572 mph, set last September by Brad Keselowski. UPI.com
Newman has four previous poles at New Hampshire, but the most recent came in July 2006.
“We’ve had a good run in the first half of the season. Just like any other team I would say we didn’t capitalize on some of the things that we’re fully capable of,” said Newman, who is still looking for his first win of the season.
“Just to come into Loudon here, one of my better race tracks stats-wise and a place we’ve always run well at, is something we’re looking forward to.
“A lot of firsts have happened for me here, and this would be good timing.” News & Observer
Newman (ninth) and Stewart (11th) are both battling for position to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup field.
“Awesome for the organization,” said Stewart, who co-owns the Stewart-Haas operation. “I’m really proud of everybody at SHR. We’ve been fighting hard here and we’re in the middle of making some changes internally and it’s definitely not an easy time for us at the shop.”
Stewart said an improved tire from Goodyear at New Hampshire was a primary reason so many cars were able to shatter the track record.
“It’s just a grippier tire,” he said. “What we fought here in the past was a tire that normally would chatter for two or three laps until it really got some temperature in it. Then, normally, you would get some bite. This tire just seemed to take off better.” USA Today
David Reutimann qualified third, followed by Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski. Last Saturday, Reutimann finished second to Kyle Busch in the inaugural Sprint Cup race at Kentucky.
Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Juan Pablo Montoya, Paul Menard and Kasey Kahne completed the top-10.
Kyle Busch, the current points leader, will start 19th.
Other notable drivers and their starting positions include: Clint Bowyer (12th), Denny Hamlin (14th), Carl Edwards (15th), Kevin Harvick (18th), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (27th), Jimmie Johnson (28th) and Matt Kenseth (30th). Los Angeles Times
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