Barber Qualifying Wrap-Up

It’s a shame that life and yard work won’t come to a halt on a race weekend. After driving back last night following a great day at the racetrack, I was greeted this morning to a yard full of giant weeds that seemed to spring up over night. I’m sure things didn’t look like that when I left for Barber Motorsports Park early yesterday morning.

Nevertheless, there was no rest for the weary. I promised I’d throw some more pictures from Friday up here. I just didn’t realize it was going to be as the sun was starting to go down.

IZOD IndyCar Series Qualifying had a few strange twists to it. Although it’s no surprise that Team Penske and Target Chip Ganassi would occupy the front two rows, I’m not sure that anyone would have predicted that Newman/Haas would place both of their drivers in the top eight, with one making the Firestone Fast Six.

Dario Franchitti was probably as surprised as anyone to not make the last round of qualifying. he’ll roll of in seventh spot. Marco Andretti was the lone bright spot for Andretti Autosport. He’ll start ninth, while his teammates will be lined up anywhere from sixteenth back to twenty-second. That’s still better than their former teammate, Tony Kanaan. TK has struggled mightily all weekend and will begin in twenty-fourth. The entire starting grid can be found on the “RESULTS” page in the upper right-hand margin of thie home page of this site,

I don’t think my dark horse is going to come through this weekend. I had picked Mike Conway to win but he starts in the sixteenth spot. On a track where passing is at a premium, that’s a tall order to make it to the front. After watching post-race interviews, Will Power really seems hungry. Don’t be surprised if he is at the top of the podium at the end of the day tomorrow.

A tip of the hat goes to Kevin Lee and the re-vamped Versus lineup. Although I’m sure he was nervous in his debut, I thought he came across as a ten-year veteran. Marty Snider did a good job as well, although I thought Wally Dallenbach seemed a little awkward. It may take a while for the new booth crew to gel.

I head back down early tomorrow morning for the race and my 11:00 meeting with Randy Bernard. I have put the list of questions together and will post the entire transcript here on Wednesday. I just pray I don’t get stuck behind an overturned tractor-trailer for three hours and miss the meeting – and the race.

I’ll be posting here throughout the day tomorrow. Here are a few uncaptioned pics from Friday. Check often tomorrow.

George Phillips