Bristol: Matt Kennseth qualifying notes

BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 23, 2002) -- Matt Kenseth and the DEWALT Power Tools team are starting the Food City 500 from the sixth position. The qualifying effort was the teams best since a fourth-place starting position at Atlanta in March of 2000.

Kenseth also showed serious potential in practice sessions on Saturday as the No. 17 DEWALT Ford was eighth fast in Happy Hour. The team is geared up and ready to contend for a win on Sunday.

Matt Kenseth:

"Qualifying is usually not our strong point, but that was a great lap for us, to back up this great effort. The best we've ever qualified before was 22nd. We are actually on the frontstretch this time."

"I think we are going to have one of the cars to beat. The key is staying out of wrecks and I guess if we run up front all day, the biggest factor would be lapped traffic. At least I don't have that far to go to make it to the lead. We had an awesome practice Saturday and we tried some different things with the cars and tires. I am pretty optimistic about Bristol this time, but it is really going to take a total team effort."