Gerhart grabs ARCA pole

By wire services
Published February 12, 2005

DAYTONA BEACH - Bobby Gerhart won the pole Friday for the ARCA race at Daytona International Speedway, the third consecutive year he'll start first.

Gerhart posted a lap at 184.253 mph in qualifying for today's Advance Discount Auto Parts 200.

Gerhart won the traditional season opener in 1999 and 2002.

Six-time series champion Frank Kimmel failed to complete technical inspection by the deadline for qualifying and used a provisional to start 41st.

BUD SHOOTOUT FORMAT: After a 20-lap segment, teams are allowed to perform maintenance during a 10-minute intermission.

The final 50-lap segment must end in a green-white-checkered finish, so laps can be added to account for cautions.

Teams may work on cars during red flags, but only on pit road or the garage area. Cars must be able to resume racing at the green flag.

All restarts are double-file. All lapped cars will restart at the rear of the field. The starting positions were drawn at random.

RAIN OUT: Persistent rain forced NHRA officials to postpone qualifying for the season-opening Winternationals at Ponoma, Calif. Time trials will continue today with final eliminations set for Sunday.

[Last modified February 12, 2005, 00:25:13]