Nov. 11, 2007

AVONDALE, Ariz. – Despite recording the 32nd-fastest lap (27.558 seconds/130.634 mph) in Bud Pole qualifying, NAPA AUTO PARTS driver Michael Waltrip did not qualify for Sunday’s Phoenix 400 at Phoenix International Raceway. Waltrip came up short by a deficit of just .022 of a second.

In the No. 55 NAPA Toyota Camry, Waltrip outperformed drivers Bobby Labonte, Ricky Rudd, Kevin Harvick, David Stremme, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Petty, Kyle Busch, Robby Gordon, Jeremy Mayfield, David Ragan, David Gilliland and Bill Elliott, but due to NASCAR’s top-35 rule, he was the first driver sent home of the 49 teams trying to make the 43-car starting field.

Michael Waltrip Racing driver Dale Jarrett also struggled to find speed and recorded the 48th-quickest lap (28.091 seconds/128.155 mph), while teammate David Reutimann was unable to record a time after experiencing a mechanical failure during his qualifying effort.

Carl Edwards won the Bud Pole with a fast lap of 27.114 seconds/132.773 mph. Rounding out the top-10 qualifiers were Martin Truex Jr., Jeff Gordon, J.J. Yeley, Johnny Sauter, Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle, Tony Raines, Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne.

The fastest Toyota in Friday qualifying was Dave Blaney, who was 17th quickest. Brian Vickers, Jacques Villeneuve and Johnny Benson will also represent the Toyota contingent, qualifying 22nd, 27th and 30th, respectively.

Live coverage of the Phoenix 400 at Phoenix International Raceway begins Sunday, Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.

Phoenix 400 Qualifying Results:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/35/data/lineup.html

Practice 1 Results:
http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2007/35/data/practice1_speeds.html

Next Up:
Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 18
2006 Winner: Greg Biffle
2006 Pole Winner: Kasey Kahne
Television: ABC at 3 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN at 3 p.m. ET