Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 22, 1993 TAG: 9308220166
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOUDON, N.H. LENGTH: Medium
Nemechek, driving a Chevrolet, lapped the 1.058-mile oval at 124.875 mph to break the record of 123.470 mph set by Jimmy Hensley in 1991. Five other drivers also bettered Hensley's mark.
Nemechek, who won his second career pole, said he was surprised his time was the best of the day.
"We slowed down two-tenths [of a second] from practice," he said. "It was kind of disappointing when I came in."
Starting second in today's race will be Winston Cup driver Terry Labonte, who had a 124.825-mph lap in a Chevrolet.
Others in the top 10 were Robert Pressley in a Chevrolet at 124.106; Kelly Moore, Chevrolet, 124.049; Ricky Craven, Chevrolet, 124.045; Hermie Sadler, Oldsmobile, 123.506; five-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt, Chevrolet, 123.414; Larry Pearson, Chevrolet, 123.286; Todd Bodine, Chevrolet, 123.274; and Chuck Bown, Pontiac, 123.266.
Winston Cup drivers Bill Elliott and Hut Stricklin qualified 25th and 26th. Grand National points leader Steve Grissom had a 121.338 mph lap and will start 34th.
"The car's running great, but I can't seem to get the handling dialed in to the track," Elliott said.
Nemechek, the defending Grand National champion who stands sixth in points, edged Earnhardt by half a car-length after their cars bumped several times during the final laps in last year's race.
Earnhardt predicted he will win if the situation is repeated this year.
"I would like to see it come down the same way, but this time there would be a different finish," Earnhardt said.
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
Memo: longer version ran in the State edition.