Friday, August 25, 2000
Newman wins pole for Blue Grass 200
By Mike DeCourcy
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SPARTA, Ky. — The No.27 Ford driven by Ryan Newman blew away the competition for the pole position in the Blue Grass Quality Meats 200 at Kentucky Speedway.
Newman, from South Bend, Ind., beat second-place Mark Gibson by posting a time of 31.56 seconds that equates to an average speed of 171.103 miles per hour. Gibson, of Winder, Ga., qualified in 32.125 seconds for a 168.093 clocking.
The starting flag for the race will drop at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Newman is a protege of racing legend Roger Penske. He was pleased with his team's work getting “good balance” on the car, which was a challenge because of a switch to a different tire brand.
“It gives me no excuse. I have the fastest race car, I should be able to win the race,” Newman said. “Theoretically, I'd rather start last knowing I have a race car that can win.
“To qualify as well as we did means a lot. We didn't beat them by a tenth of a second; we did it by six tenths. That's a lot on a track like this.”
Newman was impressed by the speed of the Kentucky track. At Pocono International Raceway, where Newman won the last
ARCA event he entered, his qualifying speed was 166 mph even though that is a 2 1/2-mile tri-oval. KMS is a mile shorter. “That tells you how much speed we can get here.”
This is only Newman's third ARCA event this season. He has been racing USAC midgets, trying to defend his season championship.
“My ultimate goal is Winston Cup,” Newman said. “This is a great series for me to come and get laps and race hard with people. We're trying to be consistent and get laps, because if I don't get the laps I won't get the experience.”
FAST FOOD: One feature of Sunday's race-day schedule for the Beltera Resort Indy 300 is a two-hour "Brunch with the Champions' at 10:30 a.m.
Spectators who have a race ticket can purchase a cold pit pass for $10, which provides admission to the brunch and the opportunity to interact with drivers and race Grand Marshall Pete Rose.
The starting flag for the Indy race drops at 2:30p.m.
FAST CARS: Sen. Mitch McConnell was one of several visitors Thursady to the Kentucky Speedway who were given the opportunity to ride pace-car laps with Indy drivers such as Roberto Guerrero and Stephan Gregoire.
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