Daytona 500 winner Joey Logano won the pole for today’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway after Friday’s qualifying session in which 13 drivers did not get on the track after failing to pass inspection.
Among those who were stuck in the paddock were former champions Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart. Gordon, who is retiring at the end of the year, called the situation “embarrassing” for the sport.
At least those four would be in the race based on their points from last season. That was not the case for Mike Wallace, Matt DiBenedetto, Michael Annett and Reed Sorenson, who were bumped out of the 43-car field without even getting a chance to take a lap.
Photo: AFP
Logano has never been a strong qualifier in Atlanta, but he is on a roll after his victory last weekend in the biggest race of the year.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” a beaming Logano said. “Everything is going well for me lately. I’m trying to keep the train rolling.”
Kevin Harvick will start on the outside of the front row, knowing he has got his work cut out to keep up with the pole sitter.
However, most of the attention was on those who did not get a chance to qualify. Gordon said it was the first time he has ever missed out because of an inspection issue.
“This is absolutely embarrassing. I feel so bad for my guys,” he said. “To not even get a chance to go out on the race track is ridiculous. The fans deserve an apology.”
Sprint Cup director Richard Buck said the teams were pushing the limits on a new rules package, which reduced horsepower and drag, all in an effort to get more grip on a high-speed track that is notoriously tough on tires. He said each of the 47 entries got a chance to go through the inspection line at least once, and some were inspected as many as three times.
NASCAR also pushed back the start of qualifying by 15 minutes, hoping to give everyone a chance to make a run.
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