KURT BUSCH STARTS COCA-COLA 600 FROM 20TH POSITION
-Miller Lite Dodge Driver Looking To Get “Better Handle On Situation” In Saturday’s Practice-

CONCORD, N.C. (May 25, 2006) – After turning in the third-fastest practice lap here at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in preparation for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, Miller Lite Dodge driver Kurt Busch was hoping for a top-10 starting spot.  But when he saw the qualifying order had him out among the early participants, he knew better.

            “Luck of the draw, fellows,” Busch told his crew on pit road as he prepared to make his qualifying run.  “We ran a (29.) 77 (second-lap) in practice and I’m sure that we’ll pick up some in our run.  But we don’t stand a chance.  The sun’s going down and it’ll take a 28.75 (-second lap) or better to get the pole.”

            Busch once again proved prophetic with his statement.  He did pick up considerably from practice, almost half a second, turning in an official lap of 29.307 seconds (184.256 mph).  But as the sun went down and the track got cooler, the fastest times of the session were recorded.

            Johnny Sauter, driving a second car for Haas Automation Racing here this weekend, was the surprise early qualifier with his 29.166-second (185.147 mph) lap.  But by the time the 30th qualifier had made his run, Sauter’s lap was already relegated to 10th.  When the session had ended, he was 14th.

            Scott Riggs was somewhat of a surprise pole winner after recording a lap of 28.744 seconds (187.865 mph) and almost perfectly matching Busch’s predicted pole time.  Jeremy Mayfield, the final driver to make his run, clocked in with the second-fastest lap of 28.832 seconds (187.292 mph).  Jimmie Johnson earned the third starting spot, with a 28.931-second (186.651 mph) lap.  J.J. Yeley’s lap of 28.999 seconds (186.213 mph) landed him the fourth starting spot and Bobby Labonte’s 29.015-second (186.111 mph) lap placed him fifth.  Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Jeff Green rounded out the top 10 qualifiers.

            Positions 11-20 went to, in order, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Sauter, Clint Bowyer, Sterling Marlin, Brian Vickers, Ryan Newman , Joe Nemechek and Busch.

            Busch later took the seventh starting position for Saturday’s CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 NBS race.

            “I think we were on the tight side trying to be conservative, but then the rear end was sliding around a little bit,” Busch said after his Cup qualifying effort.  “We ended up about where we thought we would. The track was much looser today I think because of the warmer temperatures.”

            Both garages will be closed here on Friday.  Saturday’s schedule calls for Cup practice sessions from 4:30 p.m. till 5:30 p.m. and 6:05 p.m. till 6:50 p.m.  The CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 (200 laps/300 miles) gets the green flag at 8:10 p.m. and features live coverage by FX-TV and PRN Radio beginning at 7:30 p.m. EDT.  Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 has a 5:40 p.m. start with live coverage provided by FOX-TV and PRN Radio beginning at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

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