NASCAR WCUP: Marlin in, Leffler out at Dover

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 22, 2001

DOVER, Del. – Sterling Marlin, driver of the No. 40 Coors Light Dodge Intrepid R/T, turned in a 26th place qualifying start for the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 at Dover Downs International Speedway. During Friday’s qualifying, Marlin completed his lap with a time of 23.576 seconds (152.698 mph) around the 1-mile banked concrete speedway.

“We just haven’t hit the right combination yet,” Marlin said. “I think we’ll race good. The car really turns good. We were a little loose early and we got it too tight, then we got it too loose again. We gambled for qualifying. I thought the first lap was pretty decent.”

Jason Leffler, rookie driver of the No. 01 Cingular Wireless Dodge Intrepid R/T, ran a qualifying lap of 23.813 seconds (151.178 mph). Leffler’s lap was not fast enough to qualify on time and the team did not get a provisional due to their championship points position. The Cingular Wireless team will not start the MBNA Cal Ripken 400.

“That wasn’t what we needed,” Leffler said. “It’s pretty disappointing. We finished 13th here last time, and that’s been our best run of the season. I thought we could improve on that, but we won’t get a chance to do that now.”

The MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 will be broadcast on NBC this Sunday, September 23 at 12:30 p.m., e.s.t.

Text provided by : Nealie Hamilton

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