Kansas Qualifying Report

No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge
September 26, 2008
1.5-mile Kansas Speedway

QUALIFYING RESULTS:
1. Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet
2. Mark Martin, Chevrolet
3. Matt Kenseth, Ford
4. Elliot Sadler, Dodge
5. Martin Truex, Jr., Chevrolet
21. Bobby Labonte, No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge
22. Kyle Petty, No. 45 Wells Fargo Dodge

Juan Pablo Montoya laid down the fastest lap during the afternoon qualifying session for the Camping World RV 400 presented by Coleman at the Kansas Speedway. However, his car failed post-race inspection and will have to start from the rear of the field. That moved Jimmie Johnson up to the pole, his fifth of the year.

Bobby Labonte and the No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team will start Sunday’s race from the 21st position. Labonte’s car was not to his liking during Friday’s 1 ½ hour practice session. The chassis was ‘tight’ in the center of the corner and ‘loose’ coming off of the corner. Kansas Speedway has relatively flat corners and a ‘tight’ condition is not uncommon. Crew chief Jeff Meendering made substantial changes to the chassis and Labonte radioed that the car was much better on the qualifying lap.

“We couldn’t find any speed in practice because the car was so tight,” said Labonte. “But Jeff came up with some good adjustments and I was able to carry a lot more speed during qualifying. The car is still tight, but it was a big improvement from practice. It gives us something to work with tomorrow.”

Sunday’s race will be televised live on ABC. It will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius Channel 128. Pre-race coverage is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM.