Hundredth of a Second Dictates Waltrip’s Fate at Phoenix International Raceway

April 20, 2007

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Michael Waltrip and the NAPA Racing team came up one-hundredth of a second short during Thursday evening’s Bud Pole qualifying session at Phoenix International Raceway. The two-time Daytona 500 champion, who needed to better Ward Burton’s lap of 27.780 seconds, posted a lap of 27.796 seconds and failed to qualify for the Subway Fresh Fit 500. It was the fourth time this season where hundredths of a second determined whether Waltrip would race.

“Michael said the car was tight,” said Buddy Sisco, who was named crew chief of the No. 55 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry on Wednesday. “We worked really hard today, but we’ll work even harder. We’ll get it done.”

The NAPA driver’s lap was 38th quickest (129.515 mph) on the board and faster than Sterling Marlin, Robby Gordon, Ricky Rudd, Kyle Petty, David Stremme and Johnny Sauter. However, due to NASCAR’s top-35 rule, Waltrip was the second driver sent home of the 50 teams trying to make the 43-car starting field.

Two cars from Michael Waltrip Racing will compete in Saturday night’s event. Dale Jarrett’s time of 28.011 seconds (128.521 mph) earned the final starting spot, while David Reutimann’s lap of 27.606 seconds (130.406 mph) was good for 25th.

Jeff Gordon won the Bud Pole Award with a lap of 27.040 seconds (133.136 mph). Rounding out the top-10 qualifiers were Jamie McMurray, Denny Hamlin, Scott Riggs, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne.

The fastest Toyota in qualifying was Dave Blaney with a lap of 27.433 seconds (131.229 mph), placing him 11th on the grid. Saturday night’s Subway Fresh Fit 500 will feature three Toyota Camrys.

Subway Fresh Fit 500 Qualifying Results:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/8/data/lineup.html

Practice 1 Results:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/8/data/practice1_speeds.html

Next Up:
Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 29, 2007
2006 Winner: Jimmie Johnson
2006 Pole Winner: Elliott Sadler
Television: FOX at 1:30 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio at 1:30 p.m. ET