NASCAR Cup

Las Vegas: Dodge teams qualifying quotes

KASEY KAHNE (No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge) -- Pole Sitter NOTE: Kahne led the way as three Evernham Motorsports Dodges qualified in the top 10 and three other Dodge drivers nailed down top-10 starting spots for Sunday's race. "That says a lot ...

Published: Mar 6, 2004, 10:40 PM

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KASEY KAHNE (No. 9 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge) -- Pole Sitter

NOTE: Kahne led the way as three Evernham Motorsports Dodges qualified in the top 10 and three other Dodge drivers nailed down top-10 starting spots for Sunday's race.

"That says a lot for Dodge and the Evernham Motorsports teams," Kahne said. "We had a fast car, and I didn't get in a good first lap, but the second lap was pretty good and it held up. I was a little nervous at the end with Newman and Busch out there on a cooler track, but we were able to hang on."

JAMIE McMURRAY (No. 42 Texaco/Havoline Dodge)

"This is the same car we ran at Rockingham. We pretty much made the commitment this year that if we found a car we liked we were going to run it until we either crash it or it's not made for that track. We've been pretty good since we unloaded. I think we were ninth in practice. Our program is pretty strong all around right now, so I'm pretty pumped. It's always an advantage starting up front. You get to pick a good pit stall and if your car isn't right to start the race you don't usually go a lap down. It just works out. It's good for the guys. Last year we didn't qualify well, but we could race well. That's the one thing we wanted to improve on. It makes the whole weekend easier. We were a little loose in qualifying. I knew it was fast. Sticker tires, tape on the grille and a cool racetrack, it doesn't get any better than that for qualifying. I saw everybody picking up three or four tenths. I knew we would be better. I knew we were fast, but I thought we were a little too loose for the pole."

RYAN NEWMAN (No. 12 ALLTEL Dodge)

"The car felt pretty good. We were a little tight and missed it just a little bit. It was a good run for the ALLTEL Dodge. It's close to where we qualified here last year, but I think we'll have a good racecar for sure. We were going for it, and I'm a little disappointed that we didn't get it. I think we were one of the few teams that didn't come out here to test. Just to be able to come home with a top five is a lot to be said considering the new tires and rule changes and what not."

BRENDAN GAUGHAN (No. 77 Kodak Easy Care Dodge)

"I love being at home. I actually get cheers. I feel like Dale Jr. It was a heck of a lap. We had a little meeting after practice. We rolled the dice, and that's what Vegas is all about. The guys gave me a hell of a Kodak Dodge and we had a great lap. Sometimes you've just got to hold your breath and go. We weren't that good in practice, so the guys rolled the dice on me and I did the best I could. It'll be awesome starting in the top 10 here Sunday, especially after we were so awful in practice. This team never gives up, and the guys never gave up. We've got a lot of Dodges starting up front. Now we've just got to keep 'em all up there."

JEREMY MAYFIELD (No. 19 Dodge Dealers/UAW Dodge)

"I'm real happy with that lap, and I'm real proud of this team. The car is driving great, and I'm looking forward to the race on Sunday. We'll have to wait and see what happens in the race."

BILL ELLIOTT (No. 91 UAW/DaimlerChrysler/NTC Dodge)

"We ended up with a decent qualifying spot and now we can get ready for the race. I'm trying to learn these guys and what I want and what they want and work through this new chassis. We'll be OK."

RUSTY WALLACE (No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge)

"I was a little looser than I wanted to be. I wanted to be a little tighter, and I think that hurt my speed. It was a good, solid run, and I think we've got something for 'em on Sunday."

-dodge motorsports-

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