Jimmie Johnson , the NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader, won the pole at Lowe’s Speedway, in Charlotte, with the fastest qualifying lap ever run in NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow.
A persistent rain pushed practice and qualifying late into the night. Johnson who was fastest in practice yelled for glee, in his radio, after he turned a lap of 192.486mph but that was not an official qualifying lap.
Driving a Chevrolet, at close to nine o’clock on a very cool evening Johnson turned a lap of 192.376 mph setting a new record for the car also known as the CoT. He said "I don't think I've gone that fast before through a corner."
Not resting on his laurels Johnson said “I’ll sleep well tonight, but, tomorrow’s another day.” His mind was already on race preparation.
His teammate Mark Martin , (second in the points) was second fastest, at 191.816mph.
Kasey Kahne was third fastest in a Dodge and Matt Kenseth was fourth fastest in a Ford. Tony Stewart who is fourth in the standings qualified fifth fastest.
Juan Pablo Montoya , third in the points said he had a good car but was “tight in (turns) 3 and 4,” which resulted in a 18th place qualifying.
The cool weather contributed to a make the one-and-one-half mile oval very fast. Twelve drivers qualified at speeds in excess of 190mph.
photo: Philippe Champoux - Auto123.com
A persistent rain pushed practice and qualifying late into the night. Johnson who was fastest in practice yelled for glee, in his radio, after he turned a lap of 192.486mph but that was not an official qualifying lap.
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| Jimmie Johnson |
Driving a Chevrolet, at close to nine o’clock on a very cool evening Johnson turned a lap of 192.376 mph setting a new record for the car also known as the CoT. He said "I don't think I've gone that fast before through a corner."
Not resting on his laurels Johnson said “I’ll sleep well tonight, but, tomorrow’s another day.” His mind was already on race preparation.
His teammate Mark Martin , (second in the points) was second fastest, at 191.816mph.
Kasey Kahne was third fastest in a Dodge and Matt Kenseth was fourth fastest in a Ford. Tony Stewart who is fourth in the standings qualified fifth fastest.
Juan Pablo Montoya , third in the points said he had a good car but was “tight in (turns) 3 and 4,” which resulted in a 18th place qualifying.
The cool weather contributed to a make the one-and-one-half mile oval very fast. Twelve drivers qualified at speeds in excess of 190mph.
photo: Philippe Champoux - Auto123.com