Speedy Keselowski wins pole
In position to shine at NHMS
LOUDON, N.H. — Brad Keselowski blitzed the competition during the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 qualifying runs yesterday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
NASCAR NOTEBOOK
Keselowski will be the pole sitter in tomorrow’s running of the featured Monster Energy Series race at a venue that puts a premium on track position.
Keselowski followed a good morning workout with an exceptional effort on his first qualifying lap in the afternoon. Keselowski, who operates the No. 2 Alliance Truck Parts Ford for Penske Racing, blazed the low banked 1.058-mile oval with a top speed of 136.384 mph and a time of 27.927.
He was revving up on pit road while rival Kyle Busch posted the time to beat in the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota. Busch topped off his run at 136.311 mph. in 27.942 seconds and will begin the race alongside Keselowski. Kurt Busch and Eric Jones will be in Row 2.
“I always personally hesitate to undervalue qualifying but with that in mind, there are some tracks that are less impactful to win the pole than Loudon, New Hampshire is,” Keselowski said.
“As you look to rank the tracks where qualifying matters this is certainly toward the top. We are happy with that effort and it bodes well for our shot to get those stage wins and the overall win.”
Keselowski set the track qualifying speed record by completing a lap at 140.598 mph prior to the Sylvania 300 on Sept. 21, 2014. He captured his only checkered flag at NHMS in the Camping World RV Sales 301 in July 2014.
“This is a really hard track to have a (qualifying) strategy for,” Keselowski said. “Every year we come here something gets changed and I don’t think I’ve been here for two straight years where the cars have been anything alike.
“I wouldn’t say that there is one trick that has served us through the years.”
Bring on the heat
Some drivers like it hot and Kyle Busch is one of them.
The air temperature was 89 degrees under a blazing sun and it was an estimated 120 degrees behind the wheel when Busch hit the track for the time trials.
The temperature is expected to reach triple digits when the Whelen Modified Tour Eastern Tour Propane & Oil 100 and the Xfinity Series ROXOR 200 races go under green flags today.
The thermometer is predicted to reach 96 degrees when Bruins winger Chris Wagner powers the pace car prior to the Foxwoods 301 tomorrow.
“There is nothing I’m going to do to change it and the hotter the better, bring it,” Kyle Busch said. “I’ve been working my (butt) off for days like this so let’s go.
“It’s hot outside and there is this whole thing called global warming that we are aware of or not very aware off and the race cars are hot things anyway and engine temperatures are running hotter than they ever had before.”
Bowman gets shaft
Alex Bowman’s No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet blew a drive shaft and filled the track with black smoke during his qualifying run. Bowman got the car to the infield while the offending part was located along the outside wall.
The resultant engine failure puts Bowman at the back of the pack for the start of the 301.