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TonyB
Guest
CONCORD, N.C. - David Starr said he hasn't gotten the finishes he was capable of recently in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
He got everything possible Thursday, winning the pole for Friday night's Infineon 200 at Lowe's Motor Speedway (8:30 p.m. Eastern, Speed).
The pole is the third of Starr's career and first since California in November 2002. His lap Thursday at 178.577 mph set a new track record, one of 15 drivers to better the mark set for last season's inaugural race (175.593 mph).
"We broke a rod in the race at Altanta and in the last two short track races we've ran, we've been running fourth or fifth or sixth and something happened right at the end of the race," Starr said.
"Last week at Ohio, we just ran out of tires. I was trying to gain a spot at the end and in trying to gain a spot, I lost two (finishing ninth)."
After four races, Starr, who drives the No. 75 Chevrolet, is 14th in points. He is coming off consecutive ninth-place finishes after starting the year finishing 12th and 36th, respectively.
"Sometimes you can only get what the truck can give you," Starr said.
"There are chances I take on the race track that I probably shouldn't take. It's all about trying to better yourself."
Carl Edwards qualified second - his best start of the season - and Mike Skinner third, also his best. Matt Crafton and Bobby Hamilton completed the top five. Series points leader Dennis Setzer starts ninth.
Ted Musgrave, who won the inaugural race at Charlotte last season, said he expects another smooth race.
"We're back to square one. The (truck) bodies are completely different this year. They've made big changes throughout NASCAR," said Musgrave, who qualified 15th.
"Everything is pretty much different, but it's the same old Charlotte. No matter what they do to these trucks, it's still Charlotte. Getting in the race pace and getting this Dodge Ram to handle will be the key."
All four series manufacturers - Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota and Dodge - qualified in the top-five. Robert Huffman was the top rookie qualifier (seventh).
Qualifying results for Saturday's Infineon 200 Craftsman Truck series event at Lowe's Motor Speedway with position, truck number, driver, truck manufacturer and speed.
1. (75) David Starr, Chevrolet, 178.577 mph.
2. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 177.749 mph.
3. (42) Mike Skinner, Toyota, 177.416 mph.
4. (6) Matt Crafton, Chevrolet, 177.398 mph.
5. (4) Bobby Hamilton, Dodge, 177.369 mph.
6. (92) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 177.171 mph.
7. (12) Robert Huffman #, Toyota, 176.852 mph.
8. (22) Bill Lester, Toyota, 176.621 mph.
9. (46) Dennis Setzer, Chevrolet, 176.586 mph.
10. (18) Chad Chaffin, Dodge, 176.563 mph.
11. (16) Jack Sprague, Chevrolet, 176.465 mph.
12. (88) Tracy Hines #, Chevrolet, 176.413 mph.
13. (47) Michael Waltrip, Chevrolet, 176.407 mph.
14. (24) Travis Kvapil, Toyota, 175.861 mph.
15. (1) Ted Musgrave, Dodge, 175.735 mph.
16. (67) Todd Bodine, Ford, 175.268 mph.
17. (38) Brandon Whitt #, Ford, 175.245 mph.
18. (15) Shane Hmiel, Chevrolet, 175.245 mph.
19. (14) Rick Crawford, Ford, 175.211 mph.
20. (50) Jon Wood, Ford, 175.097 mph.
21. (2) Andy Houston, Dodge, 175.080 mph.
22. (21) Hank Parker Jr., Toyota, 174.995 mph.
23. (07) Shane Sieg #, Chevrolet, 174.803 mph.
24. (17) David Reutimann #, Toyota, 174.537 mph.
25. (62) Steve Park, Dodge, 173.594 mph.
26. (03) Geoffrey Bodine, Chevrolet, 173.505 mph.
27. (29) Frank Kimmel, Ford, 173.449 mph.
28. (52) Ken Schrader, Chevrolet, 173.349 mph.
29. (08) Ken Weaver #, Chevrolet, 173.266 mph.
30. (8) Chase Montgomery #, Dodge, 172.811 mph.
31. (78) Charlie Bradberry #, Chevrolet, 172.712 mph.
32. (23) Shelby Howard #, Toyota, 171.903 mph.
33. (10) Terry Cook, Ford, Provisional.
34. (59) Mark McFarland #, Dodge, Provisional.
35. (72) Dana White, Chevrolet, Provisional.
36. (13) Tina Gordon, Chevrolet, Provisional.
2 drivers failed to qualify.
37. (02) Kelly Sutton #, Chevrolet, 169.726 mph.
38. (48) Derrike Cope, Dodge,
Sounds like MaBelle is wore out. But I bet she'll have a blast tommorow