Elliott Sadler was one of two Fords in the top five in Richmond qualifying. Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Sadler ecstatic after breaking Richmond jinx

RICHMOND, Va. -- Elliott Sadler, the self-proclaimed "worst qualifier in the world" at Richmond and Martinsville, bucked the trend Friday night at Richmond International Raceway.

	Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
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Sadler, who had never qualified better than 14th in 12 previous Richmond starts and qualified 30th or worse seven times, placed the No. 38 Ford in the top five for the Chevy American Revolution 400.

"I've never qualified (well) here, at all, so to come here and qualify in the top five, I'm just ecstatic about that," Sadler said. "I just can't wait for tomorrow night. I think our car is going to be good on long runs."

Choosing to practice race setup rather than waste time on qualifying runs, Sadler would up 39th on the speed chart during the weekend's lone practice.

He said that proved to be an advantage.

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"Sometimes I spook myself out or try to get too much on the wheel for qualifying and end up going the wrong way," Sadler said. "And since I hadn't made a qualifying run I just made a smooth lap and it ended up being a good one."

Having never qualified up front at Richmond before, Sadler always finds himself fighting to stay on the lead lap. He anticipates Friday's effort will produce a different race strategy Saturday.

"Starting out front is a big difference, huge difference," Sadler said. "So many times I've started in the back here and I'm always wondering about the leader coming, and when to be aggressive and when not to.

"Now, getting up here and running with the leaders at the beginning of the race, learn what they're doing and what they're cars are doing and try to keep my car as good as theirs instead of taking guesses at the end of the race. It's nice to see what your car does in clean air."

Sadler is driving the same car he piloted to an 11th place finish at Phoenix, which he says is further proof that the Robert Yates Racing short track program is dramatically improved.

"We're getting our short track program turned around," Sadler said. "We've scored the most points so far on short tracks, and we backed that up again tonight in qualifying.

"I thought we were really good in race trim. I had no idea we'd run this fast in qualifying but I thought we'd be pretty good in race trim. To qualify that well. I feel like we'll be pretty good tomorrow night."