Newman to Start Sixth at Phoenix on Sunday
November 7, 2008
AVONDALE, Ariz. (Nov. 7, 2008) - Ryan Newman, driver of the Penske Racing No.12 Alltel Dodge Charger, will start in the sixth position on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway for the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500.
Newman turned a quick lap of 26.907 seconds (133.794 mph) in the qualifying session. Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Home Improvement Chevrolet, qualified on the pole with a lap time of 26.721 seconds (134.725 mph).
"I feel like I was off by a half-lap today," Newman said after the run. "I was good in one and two on the first lap and then better in turns three and four on the second lap. I couldn't quite attack the track just the way I wanted to, but not an overall bad run.
"To have the pole here in the spring and come back and qualify how we did is acceptable. Hopefully, we will be able to keep the Alltel Dodge in the top 10 all day on Sunday."
Newman, who has three top-fives at Phoenix International Raceway, is still looking for his first win at the one-mile oval. His best finish came in 2003, when he finished second. He started on the pole for the race in the spring, but engine issues relegated him to a 43rd-place finish.
The Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 will air live on ABC on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, beginning at 3 p.m. The race will also be broadcast live on MRN beginning at 2:45 p.m. ET.
DRIVER: Ryan Newman
STARTING POSITION: 6th
POLE: Jimmie Johnson
PENSKE RACING TEAMMATES
3. Kurt Busch
33. Sam Hornish Jr.