Nextel Cup qualifying canceled by rain

Jeff Gordon to start up front

JIM UTTER, jutter@charlotteobserver.com

Friday, Aug. 10, 2007

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – With an enormous points lead that won’t mean much once the Chase for the Nextel Cup begins, Jeff Gordon said he continues to search for ways to benefit from his advantage.

Fortunately for him, and unfortunately for others, Gordon found one such benefit on Friday when rain canceled qualifying for Sunday’s Centurion Boats at the Glen at Watkins Glen International.

This is the third time this season Cup qualifying has been canceled due to inclement weather – Texas and July Daytona were the others. It is also the third time in the past four years Cup qualifying at Watkins Glen has been canceled by rain.

With the field set by car owner points and other provisions in the rule book, Gordon will start from the pole in Sunday’s race – the first time he’s led the field here since the 2003 season. His last win at the Glen was in 2001.

“It’s been one of those days. I was in the pace car riding around and the track was dry but windshield was wet. I thought we would find a window for it, but (the rain) just keeps rolling in and left parts of track wet,” Gordon said.

“I don’t think we would have won the pole if we had gone, but I think we had a shot at the top five. I’m glad we could take advantage of our points position and starting up front is going to be important here.”

With five races remaining before the field for the Chase is set, Gordon enjoys a nearly insurmountable 366-point advantage over second place Denny Hamlin.

Having such a large advantage is providing Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet team a chance to spend extra time to prepare for the final 10 races which will determine the championship.

“While everyone is looking to transition to next year, we’re probably going to be a little behind for next year because our focus is on winning the championship right now and seizing this opportunity,” Gordon said.

“This race this weekend is more about trying to get bonus points, trying to get a win for team chemistry and momentum. This race doesn’t mean anything toward the championship for us.”

While the rainout benefited several teams, including Gordon’s, it also proved frustrating for others.

Marcos Ambrose, who was scheduled to make his Cup debut in a car provided by Robby Gordon, did not make the field, nor did Ward Burton, A.J. Allmendinger, Boris Said, Brian Simo and Klaus Graf.

Gordon was fielding a car for Ambrose after spinning him out while he was leading on a late-race restart last weekend in the Busch Series race at Montreal. Gordon had been black-flagged at the time and ordered to leave the track but refused.

“There’s no guarantee on anything. I’m just really excited we actually got this opportunity in the first place, and hopefully it will happen again,” Ambrose said “I can’t predict it, but hopefully it’ll work out.”

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