Busch To Start Third Sunday at New Hampshire

September 18, 2009


Photo courtesy of Autostock
Photo courtesy of Autostock
LOUDON, N.H. (Sept. 18, 2009) - Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch will start third in Sunday's Sylvania 300 here at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after turning in a qualifying lap of 28.728 seconds (132.581 mph) in this afternoon's time trial session.

"It was a real good lap for our Miller Lite Dodge," said Busch, who was sixth-fastest in practice with a lap of 28.815 seconds (132.181 mph). "I was nervous and stressing about qualifying a bit today, but it all worked out for us. I was scratching my head a bit after the lap trying to figure out why the car felt so good. We ran a low 70 (28.72 seconds) which is pretty quick here, but (Juan Pablo) Montoya ripped off a 50 (28.545 second) which is really quick. We'll start third for the race on Sunday and that will give us a good pit box which is great for the Miller Lite Dodge."

Montoya's lap (28.545 seconds/133.431 mph) claimed the pole here this afternoon for Sunday's opening race of the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Tony Stewart (also a lap of 28.728 seconds/132.581 mph) starts second (by virtue of car owners' points). Busch starts his "Blue Deuce" third, with Denny Hamlin (28.949 seconds/132.030 mph) fourth and Carl Edwards (28.652 seconds/132.012 mph) fifth.

Great teamwork saw David Stremme and his No. 12 Roy McCauley-led Penske Racing Dodge work with the Pat Tryson-led No. 2 team during practice, make chassis adjustments and benefit greatly. Stremme had been struggling early in practice, but after McCauley strategically implemented the "2 car's" setup, Stremme's Dodge really came to life.

Stremme qualified sixth here today with a lap of 28.867 seconds (131.946 mph). Martin Truex (28.887 seconds/131.852 mph) starts seventh, Bobby Labonte (28.867 seconds/131.847 mph) goes eighth, Kyle Busch (28.892 seconds/131.829 mph) starts ninth and Jeff Gordon (28.901 seconds/131.788 mph) goes from the 10th starting spot here on Sunday. Penske Racing's Sam Hornish Jr., driver of the No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge, will start 24th after turning in a lap of 29.073 seconds (131.008 mph).

Saturday's action here at New Hampshire Motor Speedway includes practice sessions from 9:00 a.m. till 9:50 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. Sunday's SYLVANIA 300 (300 Laps, 317.4 Miles) has a 2:00 p.m. EDT starting time. Live coverage of the race will be provided by ABC-TV and MRN Radio.