IF YA SMELLLL...WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKIN!!!

[John B]

Couldn't resist using that wrestling line this weekend

Here's the Top 25 in qualifying:
. 1. (2) Rusty Wallace, Ford,
2. (28) Ricky Rudd, Ford, 157.032.

3. (18) Bobby Labonte, Pontiac, 156.998.
4. (3) Dale Earnhardt, Chevrolet, 156.770.

5. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 156.756.
6. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 156.622.

7. (8) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 156.482.
8. (33) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 156.441.

9. (94) Bill Elliott, Ford, 156.395.
10. (66) Darrell Waltrip, Ford, 156.355.

11. (22) Ward Burton, Pontiac, 156.288.
12. (31) Mike Skinner, Chevrolet, 156.275.

13. (44) Kyle Petty, Pontiac, 156.155.
14. (40) Sterling Marlin, Chevrolet, 155.962.

15. (20) Tony Stewart, Pontiac, 155.942.
16. (99) Jeff Burton, Ford, 155.769.

17. (5) Terry Labonte, Chevrolet, 155.756.
18. (1) Steve Park, Chevrolet, 155.743.

19. (55) Kenny Wallace, Chevrolet, 155.604.
20. (43) John Andretti, Pontiac, 155.590.

21. (9) Stacey Compton, Ford, 155.571.
22. (25) Jerry Nadeau, Chevrolet, 155.551.

23. (88) Dale Jarrett, Ford, 155.491.
24. (7) Michael Waltrip, Chevrolet, 155.432.

25. (13) Robby Gordon, Ford, 155.300.


Note the two rookies, and Darrell Waltrip(!) in the top 10....not to mention that reknown qualifier Dale Sr. in the top 4 - pressure from Jr?? I suspect Ward Burton will have a strong showing here, and is the best candidate to break into the traditional group of current NASCAR winners.



[This message has been edited by John B (edited 26 February 2000).]

[Joe Fan]

I see that the former open wheelers Blaney, Bliss and Pruett didn't make the show. They had better hope that they don't miss anymore in the next few races because after the 5th race of the season, they start using 2000 owner points to determine provisionals. They need to secure theirselves some breathing room later by making all these races early.

[John B]

NCMS has traditionally been a good track for Pontiac - Wallace won here several times, then Kyle Petty in the early 1990s, Ward Burton and Bill Davis' only win, Bobby Hamilton for Petty - and now Labonte and Gibbs have their first win there.

And another Busch win for Martin, 41 for career - what's the series record for wins?