Standing at just one mile in length, Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) can prove to be a tough track for Sprint Cup Series competitors. With variances in the four turns, crew chiefs have a lot to handle when selecting a set-up for race weekend. For David Reutimann and the UPS Team, led by crew chief Ryan Pemberton, the pressure was doubled as Thursday's qualifying laps were the two most important circuits of the weekend.
After an engine failure the prior week at Texas Motor Speedway resulting in as 41st place finish, Reutimann and the #44 Team remained outside of the top-35 in the owner's point standings. Reutimann was the eighth of ten drivers required to qualify for the race on speed to take the track on Thursday for qualifying. The Florida native's second timed lap proved to be his quickest at a fast lap time of 27.314 seconds, placing the UPS Toyota safely into the starting line-up for Saturday's race at PIR in the 26th starting spot.
"Our car was just really tight for qualifying," said Reutimann following his qualifying run. "Practice didn't start off great for us today but Ryan and the team made some good changes and we were pretty happy with the UPS Toyota at the end. We were just too tight for qualifying though but we're in the race on Saturday and we'll just keep working on our car for the race."
Reutimann's teammates will line-up near the #44 UPS Toyota after clinching the 28th and 29th starting spots in Thursday's qualifying session. Rookie Michael McDowell followed up his spectacular qualifying lap crash in Texas with an uneventful effort in Phoenix by posting a fast lap time of 27.33 seconds placing him 29th quick. Waltrip will start in the 28th position in the #55 Toyota.
Penske Racing driver Ryan Newman will start from the pole on Saturday night in the Subway Fresh Fit 500. His will be joined on an all-Dodge front row by Elliott Sadler in the #19 entry. Rounding out the top-five starters for Saturday night's race are Carl Edwards, Mark Martin and Kasey Kahne.
Television coverage of the Subway Fresh Fit 500 is scheduled to broadcast live on FOX on Saturday, April 12th. The green flag is scheduled to fall at 8:30 p.m. EST. Radio coverage will be provided by the Motor Racing Network (MRN).
