Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 26, 1995 TAG: 9508280068
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BRISTOL, TENN. LENGTH: Medium
Martin, in his Ford Thunderbird, was the only driver to top Chuck Bown's record speed of 124.946 mph set here in April, 1994.
``We've got some poles already this year, so there wasn't any priority at all on sitting on the pole here,'' said Martin, who previously had won three poles this year. ``My biggest hope, first and foremost, was to get a front-stretch pit, and then a good starting spot.''
Terry Labonte was second fastest in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo at 122.521 mph, while Steve Grissom took the third spot in his Chevy with a lap of 122.497.
Grissom's previous best qualifying effort was 15th at North Wilkesboro back in April.
Kyle Petty qualified fourth in the fastest Pontiac Grand Prix at 122.326 mph, followed by Jeff Gordon, who won here in April, with a lap of 122.115 in his Chevy.
Also in the top 10 are Dale Jarrett in a Ford at 122.022, Darrell Waltrip in a Chevy at 121.860, defending champion Rusty Wallace in a Ford at 121.659, Ricky Rudd in a Ford at 121.558 and Dale Earnhardt in a Chevy at 121.528.
``We've got a great setup for here,'' said Martin. ``We brought the car here in the spring, never turned a screw on the chassis and sat on the pole. (He finished eighth in the race).
``We brought it back exactly like it was in April, were fastest in practice and again we never turned a screw. I seem to have a decent feel for what I need to get around this joint.''
Only 36 or 37 cars - 32 qualifiers and four or perhaps five provisional starters - are scheduled to start tonight's race, which begins at 7:40 p.m.
So that leaves a rather significant group of regulars in danger of going home early. The final field will be set after a second round of time trials today at 1 p.m.
``This place is really tough,'' Martin said. ``The outside groove is not very desirable and that's where you have to do your passing. This is an extremely difficult race now that they've concreted this race track, but it doesn't come apart when we race. So it has a good side to it.''
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB