Marlin starts 36th in the Coca-Cola 600

CONCORD, N.C. (May 23, 2003) --- Coors Light driver Sterling Marlin qualified 36th for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.  Marlin's fast lap was recorded at 29.917 seconds (180.499 mph).  Ganassi teammates and rookies Jamie McMurray and Casey Mears qualified 17th and 19th respectively.

"I just don't understand it," Marlin said following his qualifying run.  "We were faster than that in practice. This lap felt like it might have been a .40 or .50 and it ended up being a .90.  We just can't pick it up in qualifying. It seems like everywhere we go we slow down. This is a different car than we had here last weekend in The Winston, and it feels a lot better. We've just got to get going a little faster in qualifying."

The Coca-Cola 600 will be broadcast live on FOX television and MRN radio on Sunday, May 25 at 5:30 p.m. EST.