Stewart-Haas Racing Autism Speaks 400 Qualifying

Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet Impala led the two-car Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) contingent in time trials at Dover (Del.) International Speedway by qualifying sixth for Sunday’s Autism Speaks 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Newman turned a lap of 22.952 seconds at 156.849 mph on the 1-mile oval.

“It was a nice lap for the U.S. Army Chevy,” said Newman, who has three Sprint Cup wins at Dover (June 2003, September 2004 and September 2005). “It gives us a good starting point, which is important at this track. Turns one and two feel better than (turns) three and four and we need to work on that in tomorrow’s practices. It’s not quite right yet, but we’ll get it figured out.”

Tony Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet Impala for SHR, qualified 16th with a time of 23.042 seconds at 156.236 mph.

“It was a decent lap for our Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet,” said Stewart who has two Sprint Cup wins at Dover (June 2000 and September 2000). “We had a pretty good car in race trim during practice, so we’ll work on it tomorrow and get ready for Sunday.”

Martin Truex Jr., captured his fifth career pole, his first of the season and his first at Dover by posting a lap of 22.884 seconds at 157.315 mph.

Kasey Kahne will start alongside Truex on the outside of row one, as he timed in at 22.890 seconds at 157.274 mph. Mark Martin (22.901 seconds at 157.198 mph) was third, while Kyle Busch (22.929 seconds at 157.006 mph) and Jimmie Johnson (22.944 seconds at 156.904 mph) rounded out the top-five.

Forty-five drivers attempted to qualify for the Autism Speaks 400. Those not making the cut in the 43-car field were Todd Bodine and Max Papis.

As far as manufacturers went, Toyota took the top spot thanks to the qualifying effort of pole-winner Truex. Ford was next best at the hands of second-fastest Kahne, while Chevrolet was the third-fastest make thanks to third-quick Martin. Sam Hornish Jr., who qualified 10th, was the top Dodge at 22.989 seconds at 156.597 mph.

The Autism Speaks 400 gets underway at 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 16 with live coverage provided by FOX beginning with its pre-race show at noon.