For the seventh time in 12 races this season, the track record again fell in Sprint Cup Series qualifying. And when it was all said and done it was Denny Hamlin, posting a lap of 195.624 mph, who won the pole for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
NASCAR Charlotte 2013 qualifying results: Denny Hamlin smashes track record, claims Charlotte pole
With a lap in excess of 195 mph, Denny Hamlin won the pole for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Streeter Lecka
The eventful qualifying session began when Kyle Busch topped the previous track record posted by Greg Biffle a year ago. However, Busch’s mark stood only for a brief amount of time before Kurt Busch obliterated by nearly two mph the time set by his younger brother.
But Busch acknowledged afterward he left some speed out on the 1.5-mile track and his assessment proved correct when Hamlin went out 16 cars later.
“I just didn’t quite hit my mark exactly right in (Turns) 3 and 4, and I knew that we might get beat by somebody,” Busch said. “I was just hoping I’d get a gift, but Denny Hamlin laid it down, and it was incredible to watch. His car hugged the line in 3 and 4, exactly like you’d watch cars back in the day, like when Jeff Gordon in the ‘90s would hunt that white line.”
The pole was Hamlin’s second of 2013, the 14th of his career and his first since returning from a broken back three weeks ago.
“Getting the big trophy on Sunday is the validation that you’re truly back,” Hamlin said. “For me, it’s going to take wins and a lot of really good consistency throughout these summer months to put ourselves in a position to have a chance at a championship.
“That’s what we’re here for. Even these small victories, though, give me that confidence that I’m still capable--able to do the job at 100 percent like I should be. Any kind of confidence booster for me, it’s always a plus on Sunday.”
Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin and Clint Bowyer completed the top five qualifiers. Defending winner Kasey Kahne will start sixth with Biffle, Kyle Busch, Jamie McMurray and Ryan Newman rounding out the top 10.
Jimmie Johnson, coming off a win at Charlotte Saturday in the All-Star Race, will line up 12th.
Complete Coca-Cola 600 Starting Lineup:
1) Denny Hamlin
2) Kurt Busch
3) Matt Kenseth
4) Mark Martin
5) Clint Bowyer
6) Kasey Kahne
7) Greg Biffle
8) Kyle Busch
9) Jamie McMurray
10) Ryan Newman
11) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
12) Jimmie Johnson
13) Carl Edwards
14) Jeff Gordon
15) Kevin Harvick
16) Juan Pablo Montoya
17) Martin Truex Jr.
18) Aric Almirola
19) Marcos Ambrose
20) Brad Keselowski
21) Casey Mears
22) Paul Menard
23) JJ Yeley
24) Danica Patrick
25) Tony Stewart
26) David Gilliland
27) Jeff Burton
28) Travis Kvapil
29) Trevor Bayne
30) Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
31) Joey Logano
32) Michael McDowell
33) Dave Blaney
34) Bobby Labonte
35) David Ragan
36) Regan Smith
37) Scott Speed
38) David Reutimann
39) David Stremme
40) Timmy Hill
41) Joe Nemechek
42) Landon Cassill
43) Josh Wise
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