Marlin starts fifth for The Winston

For Immediate Release

Marlin starts fifth for The Winston

CONCORD, N.C. (May 16, 2003) --- Coors Light driver Sterling Marlin wants nothing more than to pull his Dodge into Victory Lane tomorrow night following The Winston.  Not only because he's been a bride's maid in the non-points event three times but also because the win will pay out $1 million dollars.  Marlin's qualifying run Friday night was a good indication that he could have what it takes to win "The Survival of the Fastest."

Qualifying for The Winston consists of three laps including a four-tire pit stop.  Marlin and the Coors Light team completed the run in 125.038 seconds.  Marlin's speed was recorded at 129.561 mph and the Coors Light pit crew completed their pit stop in 14.13 seconds.  

"We weren't good in practice, but we made some changes and got better," said Marlin.  "If you get down to it, you need to be in the top-five for the last segment, but if you get trapped back there it's tough to do much.  I wish it was a longer run.  We seem to do better on longer runs."

Ganassi teammate Jamie McMurray will start at the back of the field for The Winston because the rear end of his car broke as he went out for his qualifying lap.  Casey Mears qualified 19th for The Winston Open, the qualifying race for The Winston.

The Winston will be broadcast live on FX television and MRN radio on Saturday, May 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET.