Michael Waltrip missed the field for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, this weekend's Nextel Cup race. Although he was 43rd quickest, too many fellow go-or-go-home cars outran the #55 Napa Auto Parts Dodge. The #00 Burger King Chevy - owned by Michael Waltrip Racing, and driven by Bill Elliott - qualified 26th.
Mikey was the 29th of 50 drivers to take to the track in Nextel Cup qualifying. He turned a 50.536-second lap at 178.091 MPH, and was 1.296 seconds behind pole-winner Jeff Burton. Elliott went out 42nd. His 50.207-second lap at 179.258 MPH was 0.967 seconds behind Burton.
Before time trials, Nextel Cup drivers completed two practice sessions. Mikey was 21st in the first, and 40th in the second. His best lap in the first was a 50.945-second lap at 176.661 MPH, which was 1.034 seconds behind session leader Ken Schrader. Elliott did not turn any laps.
In the second, Mikey turned his fastest lap in 51.034 seconds at 176.353 MPH and was 1.594 seconds behind pace setter Kurt Busch. Elliott's #00 ranked 39th with his 50.857-second lap at 176.967 MPH; he was 1.417 seconds off Busch's time.
Elliott was 35th in final practice, with a 52.378-second lap at 171.828 MPH that was 1.217 seconds off fastest lap-turner Kasey Kahne.
Watch the Michael Waltrip Racing entry tomorrow! Coverage starts at 2:00pm ET on NBC.
