Race Weekend Central

Jimmie Johnson Sweeps Rounds, Wins O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Pole

NASCAR’s new and improved group qualifying kicked off Friday (March 29) at Texas Motor Speedway. Despite the new rules, the waiting game was still key. Jimmie Johnson was able to win all three rounds to claim the pole for Sunday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 500.  Johnson’s lap in the final round was the fastest overall at 188.890 mph.

Drama ensued before a car even took time as Erik Jones‘ Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota failed pre-qualifying inspection twice. Jones’ car chief, Jason Overstreet, has been ejected for the rest of the weekend.

Round No. 1

In Round No, 1, the drama continued as Alex Bowman‘s No. 88 got loose in Turn 2 and smacked the wall bringing out the red flag with just under four minutes left in the round. He will go to backup car for Sunday.

Bowman’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate and seven-time Texas winner Johnson led the field in the first round with a lap at 188.627 mph. Jones and Austin Dillon followed while Clint Bowyer failed to make the top 24 and will start 25th. Bowyer was visibly upset after it appeared Ryan Newman impeded Bowyer’s progress while trying to exit pit road. Despite lobbying from both Bowyer and crew chief Mike Bugarewicz, NASCAR declined to penalize Newman, who ended up eighth fastest in the round.

Round No. 2

The second round started at a standstill as it took seven minutes for somebody to take a time. Daniel Suarez roared down pit road for a single-car run. With one minute remaining the other 23 cars finally rolled off pit road and Johnson once again was fastest at 187.957 mph.

Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and Martin Truex Jr. were notable drivers who did not advance, while Ty Dillon, Bubba Wallace and Daniel Hemric surprisingly made the final round.

Round No. 3

The final round started quickly as Suarez once again tricked the field and made a single-car run to start things off. With 90 seconds to go, the rest of the field swept into action.  With only a few seconds left on the clock, Johnson clinched the pole position. Teammate William Byron will start alongside on the front row.

Chase Elliott made it a Hendrick 1-2-3 in third, while Suarez will start fourth. Austin Dillon rounds out the top five. Denny Hamlin will start sixth, then Hemric and Joey Logano. Ty Dillon and Wallace will start ninth and 10th, respectively.

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES O’REILLY AUTO PARTS 500 STARTING LINEUP

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams will have to be up bright and early on Saturday for practice.  Practice No. 2 is scheduled for 8 a.m. Central time (9 a.m. Eastern).  The session will air live on FOX Sports 1.

About the author

Embarking on his first season with Frontstretch, Alex Timms brings forth a lifelong passion for all things NASCAR. Hailing from the beaches of Long Island, Alex serves as a freelance multimedia journalist and formerly interned at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and CBS Sports Radio. With his versatility across all digital media channels, you can catch Alex producing all types of visual content. Follow along on Twitter @AlexTimmsMedia.

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DoninAjax

Gee! Hendrick cars out front. Hope it plays out like Daytona.

Bill B

Didn’t watch qualifying because I didn’t think the new (non)-rule would make a difference and apparently it didn’t. Drafting should never be a factor in qualifying. Until they fix that I won’t be watching any qualifying at tracks 1.5 miles or greater.

One question… If all the drivers wait until the last two minutes to make their qualifying lap, how is that putting on a better show than single car qualifying where someone is always on the track. I don’t feel watching guys sit on pit road for the majority of the session is a “better show”… but that’s just me.

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