Sears Point: Brian Simo qualifying report

Brian Simo posted a strong qualifying effort for Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Infineon (Sears Point) Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. The Carlsbad, Calif., driver qualified his No. 33 Korbel California Champagnes Chevrolet 22nd of 48 cars with a time of one minute 17.325 seconds on the 1.99-mile road course, at an average speed of 92.648 miles an hour.

Simo had only one test day to prepare for his first Cup race in four years and he drew the third qualifying position, both limiting factors for a quick run. He was elated with his result.

"The track was real slippery from the class before us and we were the third car out; it was a handful. The track only got better with time, so I think we had a bit of a handicap. But I just kept it straight and kept it on the track. It feels good for not being around that much and kind of coming back. Just imagine how we could do if we had a little more time!" he said.

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