Winston: Matt Kenseth qualifying

CONCORD, NC (May 17, 2002) -- Matt Kenseth and the No. 17 DEWALT Racing team snagged their first pole in the Winston Cup Series Friday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway for the non-points event, The Winston.

During qualifying Kenseth and his World Championship Pit Crew pulled off a 13.00 second four tire pit stop. The fastest stop of the night, combined with a three-lap qualifying run for a total time of 112.938 seconds, paved the way for the DEWALT Team to claim the pole position.

The over the wall pit crew consists of Phil Drye, front tire changer; Justin Nottestad, front tire carrier; Russ Strupp substituting for injured car chief Jeff Vandermoss as jackman; Benjy Grubbs, gasman; Dave Paronto, catch can; Dave Smith, rear tire changer; and Bryan Dunaway, rear tire carrier. In addition, Andy Ward serves as the Pit Coach for Roush Racing.

"That was pretty cool," said Kenseth. "I messed up that second lap, so it was the pit stop that gave me some time to play with. These guys work so hard each day to make these cars as good as we can get them, and to be the best on pit road.

"We have a pretty good hot rod here, its the fastest car I ever had to date here at Lowe's. We hope to back up that with a win tomorrow night. I can't wait to race."

"These guys have been doing a great job for us," said crew chief Robbie Reiser. "This DEWALT Ford team is all about the people, so I really don't know what else to say."

The Winston kicks off in All-star style Saturday night, and the DEWALT Team is ready to win it all.

-mk/rr-