Rain again haunts Sprint Cup Series qualifying

Although rain isn't expected until after the scheduled afternoon qualifying session for Sprint Cup cars today, even the possibility may have some teams nervous in the Martinsville Speedway garage. Qualifying for the Goody’s Orange Cool 500 is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. EDT, and there is a 60 percent chance of rain today, but mostly after 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

There are 47 entries, meaning four won’t qualify for the Sunday race.

If qualifying should be rained out, drivers outside the top 35 who would qualify would be Roush Fenway Racing’s Jamie McMurray (2007 race winner), Wood Brothers Racing’s Bill Elliott (past champion), Bill Davis Racing’s Dave Blaney (37th in owners points), Dario Franchitti (38th in owners points), Dale Earnhardt Inc.’s Aric Alimrola (39th in owners points), Petty Enterprises’ Kyle Petty (40th in owners points), Furniture Row’s Joe Nemechek (41st in owners points) and BAM Racing’s Ken Schrader (42nd in owners points).

Missing the race would Red Bull Racing’s Mike Skinner, Front Row Motorsports' John Andretti, Gillett Evernham Motorsports’ Patrick Carpentier and EM Motorsports’ Tony Raines. Scenedaily.com