Drivers who had to qualify left mark on race lineup

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- The "go-or-go-homers," drivers forced to qualifying for Sunday's Cup race on time, stole the show at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday.

The top of the starting grid, typically filled with Chase drivers, comprised of drivers who typically struggle to make races. At first glance, one might think the qualifying order was upside down. At least five Chase drivers qualified 31st or worse.

Silencing critics

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The rationale is this: Sunday's UAW-Ford 500 is an impound race, Chase drivers focused more on race setups than qualifying. After the qualifying session, NASCAR officials impound the cars and no additional adjustments are allowed.

Drivers forced to qualify on time focused on qualifying setups as opposed to race day setups, however, Toyota driver Michael Waltrip, who won the pole, said he'll be ready right away.

"We tested down here a couple of weeks ago and we got our car as good as we wanted it speed wise," he said. "After that, I got in the draft and was able to drive to the front and ride around in the middle of it and I was happy."

Waltrip, who at the start of the season missed 11 consecutive races, said he was confident he would make the race but not the pole; a first of the season for the No. 55 machine.

"Our qualifying lap was faster than what we had in practice with drafting help," Waltrip said. "If I only had to worry about my car, I would've been happier. But, I had to worry about Dale [Jarrett] and David [Reutimann] making the race too."

Waltrip, owner of Michael Waltrip Racing which fields cars for Jarrett (43rd) and Reutimann (fifth) said it is more important to have all three of his cars in the race.

The first eight positions (six of which are Toyota Camrys) in Sunday's starting grid are "go-or-go-homers," including newcomer Jacques Villeneuve, sixth, who this weekend was under fire from Chase drivers who said the Canadian was too inexperienced to run the Talladega Superspeedway.

"We knew yesterday that we had a pretty quick car," he said. "We missed some practice time early, but when we got out there, we showed some good speed."

And while a handful of "go-or-go-homers" were happy, others were not; namely Boris Said in his No. 66 Ford who initially qualified 10th and still failed to make the race.

"Right now, NASCAR has got to do something about the rules," he said. "It's terribly unfair that the top Ford in 10th place goes home. An independent has no chance and for the 10th-place car to go home is completely insane."

Add Kurt Busch and David Ragan to the list of peeved drivers.

A Penske Racing Chase driver, Busch failed post qualifying inspection and will start 41st after qualifying 25th.

David Ragan, in the Roush Fenway No. 6 Ford, also failed and will start one spot below his original effort in 42nd.

Spokesperson for NASCAR Kerry Tharp said the two cars were too low.

"Two cars did not get through height sticks property," he said. "They were two low in the front and their qualifying efforts will be disallowed."