http://www.yahoo.com/headlines/current/sports/stories/racing.html (Einblicke ins Internet, 10/1995)
DARLINGTON, S.C. (Reuter) -- John Andretti won the first pole of his Winston Cup career Friday with an event-record qualifying speed for Sunday's NASCAR Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
Andretti, the nephew of retired great Mario Andretti, recorded a fast lap of 167.379 miles per hour in his Ford Thunderbird on the 1.366-mile Darlington track. Andretti's speed eclpsed Geoff Bodine's record of 166.998 mph set last year.
The Southern 500 takes place with Jeff Gordon holding a 176-point lead in the Winston Cup standings over Sterling Marlin. Marlin won the Transouth 400 at Darlington on March 26th.
Dale Earnhardt is currently fourth in the quest for his eighth career Winston Cup, 294 points behind Gordon. But Earnhardt has nine wins at Darlington, three of which came in the Southern 500.
Ricky Rudd was second in qualifying with a speed of 167.186 miles per hour. Earnhardt qualified third with a speed of 166.501 mph.
Dick Trickle was fourth followed by Gordon and Marlin.
Qualifying for positions 1-20 were determined Friday. Positions 21-38 will be determined in qualifying Saturday.
Darlington Raceway is the sport's oldest paved, banked track. The 1.366 mile track was the sport's first superspeedway, featuring a 23-degree bank through Turns 1 and 2 and a 25-degree bank through Turns 3 and 4.
Bill Elliott is the defending Southern 500 defending champ. It was his only win since 1992, and he and Darrell Waltrip are second to Earnhardt among active drivers with five wins at Darlington. Elliott failed to qualify Friday.