Dover: David Stremme qualifying report

David Stremme Will Start Sunday's Event From the 30th Spot

DOVER, Del. (May, 29, 2009) -- David Stremme, driver of the No. 12 Penske Dodge Charger, will start Sunday's Autism Speaks 400 at the one-mile Dover International Speedway from the 30th position.

Stremme and the No.12 Penske Dodge Charger team had a ninety minute practice session on Friday to get their car dialed in for qualifying. Stremme fought a tight racecar for the most of the practice session. The team worked with the front end settings trying to find a combination which was not only fast, but comfortable for Stremme to drive. The team made gains with every run and by the end of the session the team had nailed down the 12th spot on the speed chart.

In Friday afternoon's qualifying session, Stremme was the third car to roll off to make a qualifying attempt. The red and black No.12 Penske Dodge ran a time of 23.387 seconds which put him on the outside of the 15th row for the start of Sunday's 400-lap event at the Monster Mile.

"The car was a bit free off of [turn] 2," commented Stremme after his two qualifying laps. "It really turned through the center, but I could not get back to the gas as hard as I would have liked. I know we have a really strong Penske Dodge for Sunday's race. We worked on our race package during today's practice and I was really happy with how it performed. We have our work cut out for us getting through traffic, but it is a long race and I am confident we can do it."

-credit: pr