David Reutimann and Jamie McMurray temporarily stole the spotlight from NASCAR’s leaders as they qualified on the pole and outside pole, respectively, at Richmond International Raceway.
“It’s no secret that we haven’t had the season we wanted to have,” said Reutimann. “So this definitely starts the weekend off right anyway and gives us obviously good starting position and great pit selection.”
For Reutimann, who drove a Toyota at 127.383 mph, it was only his fourth pole in a career extending 161 races. McMurray was second fastest driving a Chevrolet at 127.334 mph.
The irony is that many fans and most journalists will be focusing on the final three open positions in the Chase which is NASCAR’s playoffs.
Five-time and defending Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson is locked into the Chase and was third quickest. His teammate, Mark Martin, was fourth.
Under the latest version of NASCAR Chase rules the top ten drivers in points are locked into the Chase.
New for this year there is a wild card for a race winner who is in the top 20 in points. Brad Keselowski, who stands 11th in the points, has locked himself in with three victories. That leaves one more wild card spot.
Dale Earnhardt currently stands 9th in the points and only has to finish 20th or better to get into the Chase based on point’s position and Tony Stewart is tenth and has to finish 18th or better.
There is any number of wild scenarios for some drivers to blast their way into the Chase but it will take a long-shot combination of occurrences for that scenario to come to life.
Take Clint Bowyer who is 14th in the points, he qualified fifth. If Keselowski, who qualified 19th , can win on Saturday night and Stewart and Earnhardt fall out there is a small chance he’ll make it. Bowyer said the pressure is off for him and all he’s simply going for is the win.
“It’s no secret that we haven’t had the season we wanted to have,” said Reutimann. “So this definitely starts the weekend off right anyway and gives us obviously good starting position and great pit selection.”
For Reutimann, who drove a Toyota at 127.383 mph, it was only his fourth pole in a career extending 161 races. McMurray was second fastest driving a Chevrolet at 127.334 mph.
The irony is that many fans and most journalists will be focusing on the final three open positions in the Chase which is NASCAR’s playoffs.
Five-time and defending Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson is locked into the Chase and was third quickest. His teammate, Mark Martin, was fourth.
Under the latest version of NASCAR Chase rules the top ten drivers in points are locked into the Chase.
New for this year there is a wild card for a race winner who is in the top 20 in points. Brad Keselowski, who stands 11th in the points, has locked himself in with three victories. That leaves one more wild card spot.
Dale Earnhardt currently stands 9th in the points and only has to finish 20th or better to get into the Chase based on point’s position and Tony Stewart is tenth and has to finish 18th or better.
There is any number of wild scenarios for some drivers to blast their way into the Chase but it will take a long-shot combination of occurrences for that scenario to come to life.
Take Clint Bowyer who is 14th in the points, he qualified fifth. If Keselowski, who qualified 19th , can win on Saturday night and Stewart and Earnhardt fall out there is a small chance he’ll make it. Bowyer said the pressure is off for him and all he’s simply going for is the win.