Nemechek Qualifies 7th for Sprint Showdown

May 16, 2008

CONCORD, N.C. (May 16, 2008) -- Joe Nemechek produced the seventh-fastest speed among the 27 drivers who will participate in Saturday night's Sprint Showdown at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte.

The top-two finishers in the preliminary Showdown will advance into the ensuing Sprint All Star Race, which will consist of 24 cars. The All-Star Race winner will receive $1 million.

In Friday afternoon's qualifying session for the Showdown, Nemechek's No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet covered the 1.5-mile oval in 29.359 seconds at 183.390 miles per hour.

"We had a great lap," offered Nemechek. "We picked up a second from practice, which was a sizeable gain. Starting at the front of the field is important in a 40-lapper, and I feel we have a shot of being in the top two. I think it's going to be an interesting race with a lot of bumping and banging."

Drivers locked into the Sprint All Star Race are those who won a race in 2007 or 2008, past winners of the All-Star Race and former Cup Series champions from the past 10 years.

The Showdown and All Star Race will be broadcast on SPEED, beginning at 7 p.m. EDT, 5 p.m. MDT.

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