Qualifying Results

Markell Murphy wins his third career pole! It's been a struggle since his 205.832 mph lap at Michigan in 2021, going 103 races without a pole position. His last victory was the Martinsville Spring race in 2022, only leading 181 laps since the win. If he can pull it off this weekend, it would be the boost he needs to knock him out of the rabbit-hole. The #47 Red Bull Mustang stands 37th in points after three-straight finishes 19th or worse to begin the year. Team Danger Zone teammates Zach Michael and Steven Spears have also struggled, with the #20 battling gremlins at California and Homestead and the Spears struggling on speed.

 

Ken Joynt has relinquished his entry for the #33 Bandit Racing Chevrolet! His teammate Mark Heron will take over the car, hoping to stay inside the top-35 in points for a possible one-team try at the Extravaganza Series Championship. "Mark's success has been unprecedented" said Joynt, who narrowly beat Joe Polson for the final spot in the 79-lap qualifier. "We've been a rocket-ship in Bonanza so we'll stick to that." Joynt has an immaculate record at The Rock, winning his only Extravaganza Series pole here in 2021 and finishing third in the fall race in 2023. We'll see if Heron can grab the reigns and repeat his teammates' success.

 

A rolodex of injuries were projected for Jonathan Skrabacz, Tony Long and Ryan Heuser after their terrifying accident on the Homestead-Miami backstretch. Surprisingly, Heuser suffered the worst abuse with a concussion, eye swelling and moderate leg pain, with Long only a concussion and a bruised left-side abdomen. Skrabacz miraculously flipped three times within a second before coming to a stop, injuring his pelvis while suffering the mildest concussion of the three. All drivers are ready to go for Rockingham!

Pennzoil 400 Carnage Ratings (10,000 is Critical)
Ryan Heuser: 9,060
Jonathan Skrabacz: 8,476
Bill Werkheiser: 8,286
Adam Crapser: 8,286
Tony Long: 7,238
William Perry: 7,012

 

Four-time Champion Ryan Heuser suffered a mortifying crash last week at Homestead! It was his second accident in three years at the facility, suffering a concussion and bruised up legs but ready to go for The Rock. Heuser performed his magnum opus last year by winning the fall Rockingham race and taking the points lead away from Ken Pettit after his blown camshaft. The #138 team never looked back. A reversal of fortune has plagued the #138 NOS Energy team this season, involved in accidents at both California and Homestead and is currently 38th in the standings. They share the hole with Adam Crapser, Logan Sheets, Scott Jackson and Markell Murphy:

33rd. Adam Crapser: +12
34th. Chauncey Redmond Jr.: +9
35th. Logan Sheets: +2
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36th. Scott Jackson: -2
37th. Markell Murphy: -3
38th. Ryan Heuser: -13

Friday, March 8th, 6:00 ET