Nemechek's Lap Disallowed, Stricklin Moves to Pole

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla – Hut Stricklin will be the pole sitter for Saturday’s NAPA Auto Parts 300 NASCAR Busch Series event at Daytona International Speedway after Joe Nemechek’s qualifying speed was disallowed by NASCAR officials. Nemechek’s speed of 189.225 mph in his No. 87 Cellular One Chevrolet failed to meet weight distribution requirements in a post-qualifying inspection. Stricklin posted a speed of 187.336 mph.

“We really didn’t know what we were capable of doing once we went out,” said Stricklin, driver of the No. 61 IWX Motor Freight Chevrolet. “It really helps when you have experienced guys like I do working on the team. I just get to be the lucky guy who sits in the seat.”

Nemechek easily outdistanced himself from the rest of the field during today’s Bud Pole qualifying, but the routine technical inspection revealed tire weight distribution violations.

“We have decided to disallow the qualifying time for Joe Nemechek,” said NASCAR Director of Operations Kevin Triplett. “When the 87 car went through inspection before qualifying, it met the distribution parameters, but in a very close way in a couple of areas. Following qualifying, all wheel weights were outside the distribution parameters. “We haven’t found out what the cause may have been, but the weight was outside those parameters, so Joe will qualify again tomorrow.”

On the outside pole for the NAPA Auto Parts 300 is Busch Series rookie Ron Hornaday. The Palmdale, Calif., native piloted his NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet to a second-best speed of 187.289 mph. In other track activity, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series made its first-ever qualifying run at the “World Center of Racing” for Friday’s inaugural Daytona 250. Joe Ruttman took the pole with a fast lap of 187.563 mph in the No. 18 DANA Corporation Dodge. Mike Wallace was the second fastest qualifier with a speed of 187.480 mph, and will join Ruttman on the front row for Friday’s race.

“It probably gives me a lot of pride to come back to a prestigious place like this and sit on the pole,” said Ruttman, 55. “The truck was set up. I’ve got to thank Bobby (Hamilton), and Dodge has been really working hard on their engine program.” Off the track, the lineup was set today for round one of the 24th running of the True Value International Race of Champions. Dale Earnhardt drew the top position, and will be joined up front by NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year Tony Stewart. A seven-time Winston Cup Series champion, Earnhardt has won the racing all-star series three times in his career, and will defend his IROC title in 2000.

“It’s always a great race,” Earnhardt said. “One good thing about IROC is that (Dale) Jarrett won’t be driving the 88 car, so we might have a shot at beating him.”

Speedweeks 2000 continues tomorrow at Daytona International Speedway at 12:30 p.m. with the Gatorade 125-mile qualifying races for the Feb. 20 Daytona 500. Second round Bud Pole Qualifying for the Napa Auto Parts 300 Busch Series event and final practice sessions for the Craftsman Truck and True Value IROC series follow the Gatorade 125s. For ticket information for all remaining Speedweeks events, contact the Speedway Ticket Office at 904-253-7223 (RACE), or visit www.daytonaintlspeedway.com.