Cup Qualifying Canceled
RacinToday.com
Qualifying for Saturday evening’s Coke Zero 400 Sprint Cup race was canceled because of persistent rain at Daytona International Speedway on Friday afternoon.
The starting lineup was set using owner points. That puts Kevin Harvick on the pole for the season’s second race at Daytona. Following in the top five will be Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Jeff Gordon.
Twelve cars had made qualifying runs when light rain brought an end to the time-trial session. But, because the the Nationwide Series was scheduled to race at the track beginning at 8 p.m., the decision was made to cancel the Cup session.
Of the 12 drivers who turned in qualifying speeds before the rain, Sam Hornish Jr. led the way at 188.194 mph. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was second, and Jimmie Johnson was third.
Harvick was ninth on the speed list of those who had made runs, so he got quite a boost from the weather.
“We didn’t have a lot of speed in our car in qualifying trim,” Harvick said. “Obviously, it makes things a little easier at the beginning of the race to get going. Our car drives really well. That’s going to be the key to doing well.”
Steve Park, who will start 39th, will be making his first appearance in a Sprint Cup race since 2003.
Michael McDowell and Todd Bodine did not make the starting field.
The race is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. (ET) start Saturday.
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