Clint Bowyer claims pole in lengthy Nationwide qualifying session at Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Richard Childress Racing driver Clint Bowyer won his first NASCAR Nationwide Series pole in nearly two years by qualifying first for Friday night’s Subway Jalapeno 250 at Daytona International Speedway.
And he had to wait about two extra hours to find out if he was fastest because of a long rain delay. NASCAR waited more than two hours to give the final two cars – those of Kerry Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. – the chance to make their qualifying attempt.
The pole was Bowyer’s first since Phoenix in November 2007, a span of 42 races.
Bowyer turned a lap of 180.701 mph in the No. 29 Chevrolet to claim the top spot. Roush Fenway Racing’s David Ragan was second at 180.133, with Kevin Harvick Inc.’s Kevin Harvick third at 179.752.
JR Motorsports’ Brad Keselowski was fourth, with Smith-Ganassi Racing’s David Gilliland fifth.
Sixth through 10th were Matt Kenseth (Roush Fenway), Earnhardt Jr. (JR Motorsports) Kerry Earnhardt (Rick Ware Racing), Michael Annett (Germain Racing) and Morgan Shepherd (Faith Motorsports).
Gilliland was the fastest of the drivers needing to make the race via qualifying. The other drivers who made it on qualifying speed were Earnhardt Jr., Kerry Earnhardt, Shepherd, Bobby Gerhart (Bob Schacht Motorsports), Jeff Green (Day Enterprises Racing), Donnie Neuenberger (Means Racing), Kertus Davis (JD Motorsports), Mike Harmon (XXXtreme Motorsports), Mark Green (JDM), John Wes Townley (RAB Racing), Johnny Chapman (MSRP Motorsports) and John Borneman III (Borneman Motorsports).
Failing to qualify were Brian Keselowski (K Automotive Motorsports), Terry Cook (MSRP) and Mike Wallace (JD Motorsports), who had mechanical issues before his run.
