The only driver in the Chase for the Nextel Cup without a win this season, Bowyer put his No. 07 Jack Daniel’s machine on the pole with a speed of 130.412 mph for tomorrow’s Sylvania 300. JIM PEDLEY, The Kansas City Star
The 45th of 49 drivers to make a qualifying attempt at the Magic Mile, Bowyer posted a lap at 130.412 mph (29.206 seconds) to knock Martin Truex Jr. (130.255 mph) from the top spot. Kurt Busch (130.011 mph) will start third, followed by Jimmie Johnson (129.798 mph), as Chase contenders swept the first four positions.
Interestingly, the two drivers who are first-time participants in the Chase will start from the front row. Reid Spencer, Sporting News
Conventional wisdom held that Clint Bowyer and Martin Truex Jr., second-year drivers who were the only newcomers in NASCAR’s 12-man Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship, would approach the start of this 10-race playoff like a pair of wide-eyed neophytes.
Yeah, right.
Bowyer, the 12th seed, and Truex, seeded No. 7, made an impressive charge to the front during pole qualifications and swept the front row for tomorrow’s Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway, with Bowyer wresting the pole from Truex with a fast lap of 130.412 miles per hour in his No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet. Michael Vega, Boston.com
“It’s just exciting. Exciting for the team, not only for me,” Bowyer said. “The pressure’s off us. We’re 12th (in the standings) and we have only one way to go and that’s forward.”
Truex has already shown he can handle a certain amount of pressure. Riding shotgun to Dale Earnhardt Jr., Truex has become the consistent cog in the DEI machine. Next year he’ll be the top gun in that team’s garage as Earnhardt Jr., moves over to Hendrick Motorsports. Plus, he likes NHIS. He’s won a Busch Series race and two win he was back in the Busch East ranks. STEVE CRAIG, Democrat Sports
| 
|