kyle's "extra" run was due to a piece of tape just under the windshield (or windscreen, for you Brits
) that NASCAR officials are supposed to remove after pre-qualifying inspection
, which was NOT removed... it prevents air from getting to the engine somehow and starves the engine of horsepower. apparently, this has happened before.
dario's car looked horrendous, and he did well just completing his lap. john paul and robby almost took out the flagman waiving them into the pits; you could see the guy and his flag running for his life as jpm is barrelling down on him
; the set up for that needs to be changed...would not have been so funny if he had been hit and several cars locked up trying for the turn into the paddock.
poor pit stops and pit strategies have robbed many ringer's of race wins and great finishes. it's a shame. fellows, marcus, mad max, pruett as well as john paul, patreeck, AJ and Robby should have good finishes barring anything catastrophic. boris's team has performed well, but they are not regulars; simo is in the same position.
marcus was not the surprise to me in qualifying after being fastest in practice, but what i am (pleasently) surprised about, is the labonte brothers' qualifying so well at the same race for the first time in while.