Qualifying Washed Out; Smith to Start 12th in Kentucky

July 8, 2011

A brief shower late Friday afternoon at Kentucky Speedway forced NASCAR officials to cancel Sprint Cup qualifying. The 43-car starting lineup for Saturday night's Quaker State 400 was set according to the earlier practice speeds.

Furniture Row Racing driver Regan Smith posted the 12th fastest speed (181.439 mph) in Friday's only practice session at the 1.5-mile oval. He will start the inaugural Cup race from the outside of Row 6.

"I was really hoping the rain would hold off because I wanted to qualify," said Smith. "We had more left in the car when we ran the 12th fastest lap in practice. But on the other hand, a 12th place starting spot isn't too bad either. I am more excited about how well our Furniture Row Chevy ran in practice than anything else right now."

Kyle Busch, who posted the fastest speed in practice (182.803 mph), will sit on the pole. Rounding out the top-five starters in order are: Juan Pablo Montoya, Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson.

Saturday night's race will be televised on TNT, beginning with a 60-minute preace show at 4:30 p.m. MT.

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