NASCAR : GM RACING NOTES & QUOTES--UAW-GM QUALITY 500 POST-PRACTICE

 

GM RACING WINSTON CUP NOTES & QUOTES; POST-PRACTICE NOTES; LOWE'S MOTOR SPEEDWAY; OCT. 10, 2003

 

NOTE: Friday's practice sessions at Lowe's Motor Speedway were shortened by a persistent rain that limited them to one session on Friday afternoon. NASCAR officials cancelled the final practice in order to prepare the facility for the NASCAR Busch Series event. 

 

Chevrolets topped the speed list for the lone practice session, led by Tony Stewart's lap of 181.879 miles per hour in his Monte Carlo. Jimmie Johnson, bidding to become the first driver to sweep all three races at Lowe's Motor Speedway in a single season since Dale Earnhardt in 1986, was second at 180.850 and Robby Gordon was third at 180.578.

 

In all, six Chevrolets were in the top 10 after practice. Kevin Harvick was sixth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was seventh and Michael Waltrip was 10th. 

 

Fastest Pontiac was Ricky Craven in 14th, Jason Leffler was 18th, Mike Skinner was 19th, Kevin Lepage was 21st and Johnny Benson wound up 29th.  

 

JOHNNY BENSON STATEMENT:

 

There has been much speculation concerning the future of Johnny Benson in the No. 10 Valvoline Pontiac Grand Prix owned by MBV Motorsports. Benson addressed that issue Friday afternoon prior to practice for the UAW-GM Quality 500.

 

"I have a contract here with another year on it, and I have a ride for next year, so unless we're going to have three cars, there's too many drivers in the mix. I've heard all the talk, but nobody has said anything to me. Unless they come to the right people, we're going ahead as planned."