Tony
Stewart talks to the Press in the Morning at
the Chicagoland Speedway.
© Oak
Park Journal photo by Dan Peters
Johnson Claims Bud Pole.. Stewart Injured During Practice Crash at
Chicagoland
by Dan Peters
JOLIET, Ill. Nextel Cup points leader Jimmie Johnson won his
first pole this year, taking the top spot in USG qualifying Friday
at Chicagoland Speedway.
His speed of 188.147 mph knocked Ryan Newman off the pole
for Sunday's USG Sheetrock 400. Johnson, who drove a Chevrolet, and
Newman led six drivers who surpassed Jeff Gordon's year-old track
qualifying record of 186.942
"I don't think the qualifying speeds will translate exactly into
what you see on the track in the race,'' Johnson said. "With the extra
practice we have (Saturday), it allows us to mess up our
car, and it allows the other guys to make theirs better.
"We've learned some things the last few weeks and they seem
to be coming together right now.''
"We've learned some things the last few weeks and they seem
to be coming together right now.''
Stewart Injured in a practice crash Friday afternoon....
Tony was involved in a practice crash early Friday afternoon ..slamming
the outside wall in turn 4.. He was taken to a local hospital. Stewart
was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in
Joliet for precautionary X-rays after complaining of pain in his upper
torso, team spokesman Mike Arning told The Associated Press.
Gibbs teammate J.J Yeley stepped in during Pole Qualifying and ran
186.168 mph to put the No. 20 Chevrolet 13th on the grid. However, any
driver change will mean Stewart will start last
when the green flag flies.
Earlier Friday morning in a Press Conference Stewart was asked about
his past transgretions with the media.... he commented... "That was in
the past... You wonder why I have a problem with you guys...you keep
bringing up the past".
When asked how hard it was to win here last year after he had spun out
during his qualifying run... He said " Hey I won the race..maybe
I should do that every time"
"We're going to give him as much rest as we can," said Greg Zipadelli,
Stewart's crew chief. "If he's still sore in the morning, maybe J.J.
will run in the first practice and Tony can go out and run (the second).
"We'll just leave that up to Tony and how hard he wants to run
and what he wants to do. Tony was cleared (for) Sunday and
he'll be OK."
"This is a very pivotal week for us, in my opinion," Stewart said. "If
we can have a really good weekend this weekend, that backs
up what we did at Michigan. Hopefully, what we learned there
and what worked for us at Michigan will still work for us here."
Ryan Newman nearly pulls a "Double" At Chicagoland...
Nextel Cup Star Ryan Newman was on the Pole for the USG Sheetrock
400..Until Jimmie Johnson set new track record for
this event at 188.147 mph.
Not to be stopped... Newman got his pole ... for Saturday's USG Durock
300 Busch Series Race.at 186.438 mph.
Kasey Kane, another Cup regular, will start second with a speed
of 184.989, giving Dodge the front row.
"I knew I had a heck of a lap,'' Newman said. ``I knew it was
going to be hard to beat.
"Chicagoland has always been a good track for us, but, in some ways, I
feel we have some unfinished business there in the Busch Series."
Lineup
USG Sheetrock 400
Pos. Driver Make
1. J. Johnson Chevrolet
2. R. Newman Dodge
3. C. Mears Dodge
4. M. Kenseth Ford
5. B. Vickers Chevrolet
.
o
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