USAR: Milwaukee: Qualifying report

Welcome Back Carter
Matt Carter picks up fourth Awesome Awnings Pole Award

West Allis, Wis.--Matt Carter made his return to the Hooters Pro Cup Series in grand fashion during the Awesome Awnings Pole Qualifying today at The Milwaukee Mile.

Carter, subbing for Joey Coulter due to the minimum-age rule in place for this weekend's event, ripped off a lap of 29.904 seconds at 120.385 mph to best the 48 drivers in attendance.

"After my first lap, they said, 'pole' over the radio, and I thought somebody was kidding," said Carter, who now has four career poles in Pro Cup competition. "I just have to thank the Coulters for asking me to drive their car. I probably wasn't their first choice, but I was real excited to get this opportunity. They've got a great team over here."

Carter's pole will be the second front-row start for Coulter Motorsports. Regular pilot Joey Coulter started second at Concord.

Behind Carter, Michael Ritch, driver of the No. 28s Support Our Troops Ford, laid down a lap of 29.953 seconds at 120.188 mph to take the second spot in qualifying.

Drew Herring, driver of the No. 22s Black's Tire & Auto Service Ford, was third quick with a lap of 30.049 seconds at 119.804 mph.

Clay Rogers and Mark McFarland completed the top five.

Brandon Ward was the top Sears Auto Center Northern Division competitor in qualifying, lapping The Milwaukee Mile in 30.213 seconds at 119.154 mph. Ward will start on the pole, since the entire Northern Division will line up in the inside lane. But, as part of the driver switch, Carter will not start alongside Ward.

Carter, along with all the replacement drivers, will have to start at the tail end of the field. Even so, Carter still thinks he can bring the No. 02s Darrell Gwynn Foundation Ford back to the front.

"I think with this track being so wide that you should be able to pass," said Carter, who is coming off an ARCA win. "We need to play our pit strategy right and, hopefully, get good fuel mileage. If we're in the top 10 with 50 to go, we should be in good shape."

-credit: usar