IRL: Phoneix Qualifying Report

Phoenix, AZ, (March 21, 1998) - One second and a tick covers the field of twenty eight cars for tomorrow's Dura Lube 200 at Phoenix International Raceway.

After setting fastest speed in all the practice sessions prior to qualifying, Tony Stewart was the odds on favorite to take the pole. Stewart was towards the front of the qualifying line and his time held up until Billy Boat took to the speedway for his qualification run. Boat nipped Stewart by two one-thousandths of a second to take the provisional pole.

But Jeff Ward found extra speed on his qualification run, going three one-hundredths of a second faster than he had gone all weekend. Ward's pole speed of 172.753 was almost three miles an hour faster than Tony Stewart's speed of 170.012 in taking last year's pole.

Rounding out the top five were Jimmy Kite and Kenny Brack.

J. J. Yeley, of Phoenix, AZ, continued to surprise everyone with his speed, qualifying in the top ten. The rookie driver's speed was 170.108. Yeley will start on the outside of row five next to 1996 Indy 500 winner, Buddy Lazier.

In the late afternoon practice session, for qualified cars, Eliseo Salazar hit the turn two wall, destroying the left side of the car. The crew will try to rebuild the car tonight to avoid having to start at the rear of the field in the back-up car. Salazar qualified sixth.

David Reininger - Motorsport News International