msrpk.com blog

"Wiiiings on the Pole"

Brian Vickers won the pole for the Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, with what he described as an almost perfect lap of 183.439 miles an hour around the 2 mile oval, which seemed to have more participants than spectators on this second day of festivities--the traditional pole day for the Sprint Cup cars. Upon further review by his Red Bull Toyota team, the engine was found to be lacking and was slated to be replaced. This will, if it happens, do two things: it elevates three time and defending Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson to the point when the green flag falls on Sunday, because if Vickers' team does replace the engine, Vickers will be placed in the rear of the field after taking a lap as the pole sitter. That change will also move Jamie McMurray to second for the start. McMurray drives for Roush Fenway Racing--with four victories in the last four years. The rest of the "Roushketeers"--Greg Biffle 5th (starts 4th); David Ragan 13th (starts 12th); pointleader Matt Kenseth 24th (23rd) and last year's winner, Cousin Carl Edwards 25th (24th).

Kurt Busch would move to third starting spot as a result. This is, of course, contingent on no one else having to go to the rear of the field.

The Dale Earnhardt, Jr. vs Brian Vickers controversy is getting old. Both drivers talked about it. The Italians have a word for all of this: "Basta!" (Enough, already!).

Rookie Scott Speed was the fastest rookie, and will start 9th (8th); fellow rookie Joey Logano takes the green from 34th (33rd).

We'll rejoin you on Sunday for the Matinee.