Notebook: Waltrip ends futility streak at Dover

DOVER, Del. -- No one knows what kind of record Michael Waltrip's 0-for-11 string in the Nextel Cup Series is.

But after the veteran driver qualified for Sunday's Autism Speaks 400 on Friday afternoon at Dover International Speedway, it wasn't just relief that had him breathless.

Newman bumps Junior for Dover pole

Ryan Newman earned his second consecutive Nextel Cup pole by posting the fastest lap in Cup qualifying at Dover on Friday afternoon.

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"If I was top-35 in points and went out there to run, I'd come in like this because that's what it takes to get a [qualifying] lap at Dover," Waltrip said. "It takes that much energy -- or whatever you want to call it.

"You just go as hard as you can go and it just holds your breath."

Waltrip had raced his way into the season opening Daytona 500 in the No. 55 Toyota that's the standard bearer for his Michael Waltrip Racing team, but had come up short in the 11 races since.

"Studying, hard work and listening to other people's setups," Waltrip said when asked to explain how he'd done it. "There's a lot of people who have been really supportive of us, not only on the Toyota side, but other teams have pitched in and said 'think about this' or 'think about that.'

"I'm just real thankful for the fact that they have supported me and they cared enough to try to get us in."

In addition to Waltrip qualifying for his second race this season, teammate Dale Jarrett made it into his second consecutive race after two DNQs in a row.

Unfortunately, junior teammate David Reutimann's No. 00 Toyota failed to qualify for the second week in a row after making eight of the first 11 races.

"Having Bobby Kennedy [MWR director of competition] back and being able to run and have information [is important]," Waltrip said. "He's been a big contribution this week and it certainly hasn't gone unnoticed."

Waltrip said he saw only better things ahead.

"I think we'll continuously get better," Waltrip said. "It's quite a position to be in. When your heart and soul is into something it is so hard to get it heading in the right direction.

"It is really tough to take, but I've always been good at Dover. I won my first Cup pole here and I won my first Busch race here -- I always liked Dover."

Woods smiling, despite a headache

Nextel Cup team owners Eddie and Len Wood were all smiles after former Cup champion Bill Elliott put their No. 21 Wood Brothers/JTG Racing Ford solidly in the lineup at 13th, in his Car of Tomorrow debut.

Their glee was tempered some by Eddie's son, Jon, having to step out of his No. 47 Busch car due to headaches, but Elliott's performance in his second start for the team was a plus.

"People made comments about Bill having champion's provisionals, but that wasn't the biggest reason we got him to drive our car," Len Wood said. "And we thought Charlotte might have been where we'd need [a provisional] the most.

"But Bill hasn't come close to needing one."

Mayfield improves

Jeremy Mayfield, in his debut race with new crew chief David Hyder, qualified for his second consecutive event Friday. After making only his fourth race in 12 attempts last weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Mayfield was a serious top 10 threat before his No. 36 Toyota's engine expired -- but he and Hyder rebounded at Dover, qualifying 20th.

"He's just a great guy," Mayfield said of Hyder. "He and I have already hit it off really good. We've known each other for a few years [and] I think he and I are going to be good together -- I'm really looking forward to it."

Mayfield said his qualifying run was interesting.

"I went out for qualifying and felt really good in Turns 1 and 2. Going into [Turn] 3 I about lost it -- it got loose on me getting in, the first time all day.

"So, I thought we're out of it. I wasn't sure we were going to be able to make it. I go into Turn 1 and I was loose in and they said 'you're in the show.' I just shut it off."

Montoya's slide for life

Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Juan Montoya had a sideways run in qualifying, but recovered to post a 16th-place qualifying run in his first visit to Dover. He predicted a tougher debut to the "Monster Mile" on Sunday.

"I think the thing is survival," Montoya said. "I think this racetrack, from what I've seen, is about survival."

He was happiest about his relatively up-front starting position.

"That's big because, you start up there and you don't do anything silly you'll stay [up there]. It's just a different race [from starting in the back]. When you start 40th or 35th, you're just looking in your mirror saying 'When is the leader coming?'

"Here you can relax a bit and cruise a bit more."