Nov. 2, 2007

FORT WORTH – Michael Waltrip and the NAPA Racing team will not start in Sunday’s Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.  Waltrip’s time of 28.657 seconds (188.44 mph) was 41st quickest, but due to NASCAR’s top-35 qualifying rule, the team was not awarded a starting position. A tight handling condition hampered his effort despite picking up a tenth from the afternoon practice session (28.769 seconds/187.702 mph).

Winning the Bud Pole was Martin Truex Jr. His pole-winning lap was 27.964 seconds (193.105 mph). Rounding out the top-10 fastest qualifiers were Jeff Gordon, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kevin Harvick, AJ Allmendinger, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson, Casey Mears and Mark Martin.

As for the Toyota teams, Michael Waltrip Racing will field two cars in Sunday’s main event. Dale Jarrett and David Reutimann will start 26th and 43rd, respectively. AJ Allmendinger was the quickest of the Toyotas scoring the 5th – fastest time followed by Mike Skinner in 14th, Brian Vickers in 22nd, Dale Jarrett in 26th, Dave Blaney in 32nd and David Reutimann in 43rd.

Live coverage of the Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway begins Sunday, Nov. 4 at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC and PRN radio.

Dickies 500 Qualifying Results:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/34/data/lineup.html

Next Up:
Phoenix 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 11
2006 Winner: Kevin Harvick
2006 Pole Winner: Jeff Gordon
Television: ABC at 3 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN