CONCORD, N.C. – An overcast sky precluded the cars with the earliest draw from having too much of an advantage during qualifying for the Nationwide race at Charlotte. The track temperature didn’t climb as dramatically as it would have with direct sun so all of the drivers had a fair shot at taking the pole. When it was all said and done, Carl Edwards took the pole with a lap of 28.889 seconds for a speed of 186.922 mph.
Among the early drivers to go out, Ryan Newman was unable to back up his pole effort from 600 qualifying. His lap of 29.123 seconds was only good for fourth position. Trevor Bayne was the fastest car during final practice for the Nationwide drivers and he was on provisional pole for a couple of minutes with his 29.003-second lap, but was quickly displaced by Edwards. Bayne will start second in the lineup.
Series points leader Brad Keselowski was just a little off in his qualifying run, posting a lap of 29.064 seconds for a speed of 185.797 mph, which slotted him third on the grid. Kyle Busch, who has won three of the last four Nationwide races at Charlotte was uncharacteristically off when he took his qualifying run, posting a 29.145-second lap for a speed of 185.280 mph, which starts him sixth. Kasey Kahne rounded out the top five with a lap of 29.132 seconds for a speed of 185.363 mph.
2010 TECH-NET 300 QUALIFYING SPEEDS
The TECH-NET Auto Service 300 Powered by Carquest will take the green at 2:46 p.m. barring inclement weather, which is a possibility all weekend at Charlotte.
What is it that Mike Neff doesn’t do? The writer, radio contributor and racetrack announcer coordinates the site’s local short track coverage, hitting up Saturday Night Specials across the country while tracking the sport’s future racing stars. The writer for our signature Cup post-race column, Thinkin’ Out Loud (Mondays) also sits down with Cup crew chiefs to talk shop every Friday with Tech Talk. Mike announces several shows each year for the Good Guys Rod and Custom Association. He also pops up everywhere from PRN Pit Reporters and the Press Box with Alan Smothers to SIRIUS XM Radio. He has announced at tracks all over the Southeast, starting at Millbridge Speedway. He's also announced at East Lincoln Speedway, Concord Speedway, Tri-County Speedway, Caraway Speedway, and Charlotte Motor Speedway.