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Series Utah MMP qualifying one report

Edge to von Kluge with Pole for Race 1 at Miller TOOELE, Utah, 11 September - When a championship battle is all-tied with only two races remaining, every point and any advantage gained is significant. This morning, in qualifying for this ...

Edge to von Kluge with Pole for Race 1 at Miller

TOOELE, Utah, 11 September - When a championship battle is all-tied with only two races remaining, every point and any advantage gained is significant. This morning, in qualifying for this afternoon's penultimate Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race, Jason von Kluge put a sliver of daylight between himself and fellow title contender Tony Buffomante. By capturing the pole and the five points that go with it, von Kluge gains a one point advantage over Buffomante who will line up alongside for the start.

On his fourth flying lap, von Kluge snatched the pole from Buffomante by going 0.505 seconds quicker. His fastest lap was timed in 2:08.044 seconds, equivalent to an average speed of 126.125 mph around Miller Motorsports Park. von Kluge and Buffomante were the only ones within the 20-car field to hold the top sport throughout the 15-minute qualifying session.

Ben Crosland had recorded the second best time with a checkered flag-lap charge; however, the No. 25 Mustang was deemed to be underweight after going through post-qualifying technical inspection. He will start from the final spot on the grid on row 10.

"I took it easy at the start and made sure the car and tires were properly warmed up. On my second flying lap I made a small mistake so, I took it easy on my third lap and on lap four, I went for it. After that, I had nothing else left, but it was good enough for the pole and some valuable points," declared von Kluge, still sitting inside his No. 19 JVK Motorsports FR500S Mustang.

Buffomante went out hard and laid down a golden lap on his first timed lap. His next two laps saw him slow by a tenth of second each, but as the session wound down, only Crosland had been able to mount any threat to Buffomante's time of 2:08.549 seconds.

Frustrated, but resolute, Buffomante was determined to find a solution for the race.

"It was a disappointing session for us. The longer we run the slower we go and the faster he (von Kluge) goes. So we have to find a solution to that before the race this afternoon," concluded Buffomante astride his No. 34 Capaldi Racing Mustang.

With Crosland's relegation, Pratt Cole will line up on the inside of row 2 with Dan Aweida alongside. Row three will be comprised of Kyle Gimple who has been very fast in practice, so expect to see him make some advances during the race, and George Winkler along the outside.

The inside of the fourth row is taken by Mustang Challenge Shootout grand-prize winner Dean Thomas who continues to impress in his pro racing debut. Sloan Urry starts from the outside of row four.

Completing the top-10 is the No. 68 Mustang of Andrew Hendricks on the inside of row 5, while Mike McGovern is the tenth fastest qualifier, lining up on the outside.

The green flag for race one of two at Miller Motorsports Park goes green at 3:15 PM Mountain time. Follow it live at mustangchallenge.com.

-source: frmc

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