
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 23, 1993                   TAG: 9307230061
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: TALLADEGA, ALA.                                LENGTH: Medium

ELLIOTT EARNS POLE

Bill Elliott dominated qualifying for Saturday's NASCAR Fram Filter 500-kilometer race, setting a track record Thursday to earn his first Busch Grand National pole.

Elliott, who spends most of his time on the Winston Cup circuit, won his last Grand National race at Watkins Glen, N.Y., on June 26, and kept up his hot streak with a two-lap average of 188.404 mph at Talladega Superspeedway.

The Dawsonville, Ga., driver actually earned the pole on his first lap of the 2.66-mile tri-oval and stretched out his advantage with an even faster second lap. He easily beat the second-fastest qualifier, Chad Little, who ran 187.152 mph.

"Our efforts have gotten better and better each week," said Elliott, who also will race Sunday in the DieHard 500 Winston Cup event. "I'm looking forward to the race on Saturday because I know the car is going to run good.

"Once you get some momentum, things go better. I think the feeling is even carrying over into our Winston Cup program."

Elliott was one of 17 drivers who eclipsed the qualifying mark of 184.733 mph set by Dale Earnhardt in last year's inaugural Grand National race at Talladega.

In addition to Elliott and Little, four other Winston Cup drivers made the field on the first day of qualifying, in which the top 20 places were set. The remainder of the 40-car lineup will be determined today.

Ken Schrader was sixth at 185.924 mph, Darrell Waltrip ninth at 185.441, defending champion Ernie Irvan 10th at 185.194 and Dale Jarrett 11th at 184.997. Among those who failed to qualify were Earnhardt, Terry Labonte, Michael Waltrip, Harry Gant, Sterling Marlin, Rick Wilson and Mark Martin.

Keywords:
AUTO RACING

by CNB