Jeff Green, left, and crew chief Bootie Barker put together their best qualifying effort in 67 races. Credit: Autostock

Notebook: NASCAR sets small cells at Lowe's

FORT WORTH, Texas -- As expected, NASCAR on Friday announced it would use smaller fuel cells when it races its longest Nextel Cup race, next month's Coca-Cola 600, at newly repaved Lowe's Motor Speedway.

In addition to the May 28 600-miler, the 14-gallon cells will be used for the Nextel All-Star Challenge on May 20.

	Tires have been an issue at LMS, so NASCAR has decided to use a smaller fuel cell to increase safety measures. Credit: Autostock
	TIRE WOES AT LOWE'S Officials were a little happier following a successful tire test earlier in the week at Lowe's Motor Speedway.  •   Complete story, click here A tire test on March 29 at Lowe's failed to provide a solution for the May races in Charlotte.   •   Complete story, click here

NASCAR vice president for corporate communications Jim Hunter addressed the media at Texas Motor Speedway and said the announcement was made to give teams a chance to prepare for a three-day open test at Lowe's May 1-3.

"We've informed the teams here this weekend that we're going to do that," Hunter said. "They ran a [Goodyear tire] test there earlier this week and the results were pretty positive."

Goodyear has actually tested tires twice recently and, despite a crash in the first test by Jimmie Johnson, feels it has a solution in the tires it will bring.

Goodyear's Rick Campbell, team leader for NASCAR tire development, said after the most recent test that data collection and driver input confirmed the choice of tougher, more durable tire compounds on the right and left sides reduced grip, slowed lap times and reduced tire temperatures and wear. The new tire construction is exclusive to the Lowe's track.

"As all of you know, we had some problems at Charlotte last year in October," Hunter said. "The speedway has resurfaced the racetrack and it is really smooth now and it is very fast. New pavement will usually generate more speed.

"We want to be safe. It's more of a caution than anything else. With the new pavement, the shorter the run combined with the new tire, Vis a Vis the gas, is a safe way to do it."

Last year, Lowe's Motor Speedway ground sections of the racetrack before the Coke 600 in May. Speeds were up and there were 22 cautions. For the October 2005 race, the track was further ground, speeds rose again and there were again tire issues, along with 15 cautions.

"One of the things that may come out of this is that they change tires every other pit stop instead of every pit stop or change two on one side during the race and the other side on the next stop," Hunter said. "We just want to make sure that we have a good, safe race at Lowe's in May."

Martin praises Hamlin

Denny Hamlin has earned his rookie stripe, according to Mark Martin. Credit: Autostock

Samsung/RadioShack 500 Starting Lineup Pos. Driver Speed 1. K. Kahne 190.315 2. J.J. Yeley 189.374 3. M. Martin 189.029 4. J. Green 189.016 5. G. Biffle 188.976 6. M. Kenseth 188.910 7. Ku. Busch 188.897 8. D. Hamlin 188.772 9. M. Truex Jr. 188.640 10. B. Labonte 188.594 • Complete lineup, click here Pole positionKasey Kahne snags the pole late in qualifying at Texas Wild rideThings get hairy during McMurray's qualifying run at Texas Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Anyone who's ever questioned Mark Martin's class only had to hear the veteran at Texas Motor Speedway Friday as he addressed criticism of his driving tactics last weekend at Martinsville Speedway by rookie of the year candidate Denny Hamlin.

After Martin and Hamlin made contact, and Hamlin crashed out of the race, he sharply rebuked Martin for not only that incident, but an earlier one as well.

"It shouldn't matter if you're a rookie or not, and Denny shouldn't be treated on the racetrack differently from me," Martin said. "Denny and I have had a conversation since, and I made it clear to Denny that everything that I've done to him on the racetrack I would have done to Rusty Wallace, who I respect as much or more than anyone in the garage, or Dale Jarrett."

Martin chided the media for dwelling on Hamlin's youth in the sport and took part of the blame for the incidents.

"My point was, 'Don't bring up the rookie thing again,' because he's done a fabulous job," Martin said. "He's been incredibly competitive and respectful and fair on the racetrack and the rub that we have had came from he and I not knowing each other's style.

"My style is different. What happened was that it was forced too soon. We didn't have an opportunity to race around each other long enough or gradual enough.

"He's up there fighting for a top spot. He and I are fighting for top spots right away in his Cup career and you'll have that. It's just an accelerated learning curve and he's having to learn everyone's at the same time -- not just one or two.

"For most of us out there, we have to learn one or two new guys a year -- not 40. Denny's having to learn 40 and trying to assimilate that over the course of 10 races. I have the greatest respect for Denny."

Green gets best start

Jeff Green and the No. 66 Chevrolet posted their best qualifying effort of 2006 when Green fell only .195 seconds shy of Bud Pole winner Kasey Kahne. Green will roll off fourth in Sunday's Samsung/RadioShack 500 after qualifying in 28.569 seconds, an average speed of 189.016 mph.

"Bootie [Barker, crew chief] and the guys worked hard to get the car strong in qualifying trim, and it really showed this afternoon," Green said. "The best part is, I think we're going to have something for the field in Sunday's race, too, because this car is just as good in race trim."

Kahne posted a lap of 28.374 seconds, an average speed of 190.315 mph.

Nemechek bounces back with backup

Joe Nemechek crashed his No. 01 Chevrolet on his first lap of practice Friday afternoon at Texas, but bounced back with his backup car to post the 17th-fastest speed for Sunday's race. The effort, while commendable, broke a four-race string by Nemechek of qualifying in the top 10 here.

"Not bad at all considering everything we went through," Nemechek said. "We're trying a lot of new stuff and we didn't get much time in the backup car in practice. The Army car wasn't comfortable enough, and we didn't have any time to work on it.

"It's very difficult on a high-speed racetrack like this if your car is not driving comfortably. You're trying to run a 189-mile-per-hour lap out there and if your car is not driving right you can't make it go. It didn't have the right feel getting in the corner."

Nemechek did manage to make a few practice laps in the backup car and was 29th fastest out of the 48 cars that tried to qualify. After the practice session, the MB2 Motorsports team put the engine from the primary car into the backup car so Nemechek could maintain his 17th position.

"I am not really sure why the [primary] car did what it did," Nemechek said. "I was down low and the car was sticking, and then all of a sudden it was headed to the wall."

Stanton Barrett also crashed his No. 95 Chevrolet at the end of Nextel Cup practice, but he failed to qualify when he turned the slowest lap of the 48 cars that attempted.