Notes: Some drivers split on COT's Darlington show (cont'd)

All smiles after qualifying
Clint Bowyer was all smiles Friday as the driver of the No. 07 Chevrolet landed his first career Cup pole.

Bowyer said starting up front in Saturday's Dodge Avenger 500 is nice but making the Budweiser Shootout is the real bonus.

"It's a bummer to sit and have to watch that race from home on TV," he said.

Another driver with a big smile was Ken Schrader. After missing the last two Cup races, Schrader breathed a sigh of relief and satisfaction posting a lap time of 163.724 mph, putting the driver of the No. 21 Ford eighth on the starting grid.

"I thanked the guys for giving me something quick enough that I didn't have to hold my breath real long. We went home for two weeks and I've got to apologize to [sponsors] Little Debbie and Motorcraft about that. I don't like that."

As a go-or-go-home car, the stress was clearly mounting for Schrader.

"This week, like right now, I feel like, 'Oh yeah, it builds,' but as a driver, I can make more difference here," he said. "So that means I can do better or I can screw up, so there's more pressure on you here as a driver."

Gordon's baby has a name ...
Only no one is revealing exactly what that is, said Jeff Gordon's mother Carol Bickford.

She did, however, dish some other pertinent details about wife Ingrid Vandebosch-Gordon's pregnancy.

Due Date: Latter part of June, first part of July
Name: Determined and beautiful, says grandma
Far along: Seven and a half months
Last sonogram: Couple of weeks ago
Who the kid will drive for: In talks with all the Chevy teams

Family and friends on both sides of the couple's family gathered in North Carolina recently for a baby shower, where games such as "identify what kind of melted candy bar is in the diaper" and "who can chug a baby bottle of champagne the fastest."

"Jeff was very competitive but you already knew that. He didn't win any of the games though," Bickford said.

Mother's Day, not Junior's Day
Earnhardt may still be dominating headlines this weekend, but Mother's Day doesn't go unnoticed in NASCAR.

Not only do the mothers of the drivers step in as honorary starters for Saturday night's Dodge Avenger 500, but Daytona International Speedway on Friday announced a sizeable donation payable to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure honoring moms on their special day and to kick off ticket sales for the 50th running of the Daytona 500.