The Kobalt Tools 500 Starting Line-Up
By Sheri Vegas on Mar 5, 2010 in Motorsports, Nascar Sprint Cup, Racing
Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Coors Light Pole award for Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
photo credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR
It’s his 9th career pole and first since April 2008 at Texas Motor Speedway. Earnhardt’s lap of 28.761 seconds at 192.761 mph was the fastest qualifying lap in the new Sprint Cup car (CoT).
“It’s good to be on the pole and I’m real proud of it,” Earnhardt said. “Getting a pole anywhere is good for our team. We’re so hungry to do well on Sunday.”
Earnhardt has yet to win a race from the pole, however starting up front isn’t as important at Atlanta than at other tracks. In 101 races, just 14 pole winners have gone on to win.
Kyle Busch will start Sunday’s race alongside Earnhardt on the front row. Juan Pablo Montoya will start third followed by Hendrick drivers, Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon. Points leader Kevin Havick starts 35th while Jimmie Johnson qualified 16th.
46 drivers showed up to qualify for the 43 starting positions. Having to qualify on time, go-or-go homer Casey Mears lost an engine during cup practice. Mears has failed to make it into a race yet this season.
No other major events happened during the 90-minute practice session prior to time trials. Mark Martin’s lap of 189.409 mph was the fastest lap during the afternoon’s practice. Earnhardt was 10th quickest during the session.
For the entire starting line-up, click here.
TV coverage of the Kobalt Tools 500 begins Sunday at Noon on FOX.
