NASCAR Hamlin Scores The Pole For Indy Edwards Finds His Stride Allmendinger Accepts His Fate

Denny Hamlin Set The Pace for the Brickyard.

Toyota is always looking to do something they have not done yet, and Denny Hamlin gave them something just like that this weekend.  Taking his first ever pole at the Brickyard, also a first for Toyota, Hamlin set a pace to take his 11th career pole at 49.244 seconds (182.763 mph) that no one even came close to.  Toyota has still not won a race at the Brickyard so Denny still has some work to do to complete the wish list for NASCARs newest manufacturer.

I think, if you put me out front on the last run, no ones going to get around me, Hamlin said. So its all going to be about maintaining track position and maintaining the balance of your race car. Ive been good here before and not been able to pass.

Theres always been about two cars, in every single race here, thats been capable of passing. Everyone else just kind of runs where theyre at. All you can do is hope that youve got a fast enough car to be one of those two, where, if you do get set back, you can be one of the cars that can get back to the front.

One thing about it is having the No. 1 pit stall now. Thats going to be an advantage on pit road. I think its hard to point to the outfield right now, but weve got the bat halfway raised.

Carl Edwards looked competitive for the first time in a long time out on the track.  Taking the second position along side Hamlin for the start of the race, Edwards is in a position to get a much needed win if he hopes to keep his chase hopes alive.  With changes happening this season with his team and undisclosed health issues for his crew chief Bob Osbourne, Edwards team has been struggling since the start of the season.  Uncertainty seems to remain in the Roush stables about what will happen with the make up of this team, but they remain strong willed and are taking things as they come, and standing strong together.

Everybody knows that what were trying to do right now is make the team better, and to fix any issues we might have, Edwards said. If we dont do any better here, and Bobs up to it, well probably put Bob right back in as soon as hes able. But if this goes well if Bobs doing well in his new role and thats the best thing for him, and Chads doing great well move forward doing this. Nothing is in stone right now. It could be a whole different scenario next week. Everybody knows that. Were just doing all that we can right now to be as good as we can right now.

A.J. Allmendinger has been dealing with his own personal scandal now like he faces everything on the track, with determination and confidence.  After both of his test samples came back positive for an illegal substance under NASCARs drug and Alcohol policy, Allmendinger will enter a recovery program, while he works with an independent lab to determine how exactly he gave a positive result.  Allmendinger still claims that he at no time knowingly took any drug that is on NASCARs list, he is determined to get back to racing whatever the cost.  By entering the recovery program he is taking the correct track in getting back to racing.

Everyone appears to be in Allmendingers corner here as he enters the program and continues to try to clear his name.

Were very pleased that A.J. Allmendinger has chosen to participate in the NASCAR Road to Recovery program, NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said. Its designed, as proven, to provide a road map leading to a return to competition, and we wish him the best of luck. As we have with other competitors, we look forward to the day when the program administrator recommends him for reinstatement.

Related posts:

1. NASCAR Allmendinger Wins the Pole At Kansas, Engine Trouble for Logano Moves Him to the Back of the Field
2. NASCAR Tony Stewart Scores the Pole for Charlotte in the Half Way Race of the 2011 Sprint Cup Championship
3. NASCAR Ford Fills the Front Row as Sadler takes the Pole. The Chasers are Hitting Their Stride.
4. NASCAR Hamlin Takes the Pole For California Knaus Still Penalized But Johnsons Points Restored
5. NASCAR Logano Scores Second Career Pole at the First Road Course Race of the Season in Sonoma