What little Stewart may have lacked during his first round qualifying run, he made up resoundingly during his performance in qualifying for Saturday’s portion of the program.
Stewart wheeled the ENEOS/Larson Marks Racing No. 2 entry to a quick lap of 12.826 seconds in Saturday flight B, topping all comers and scoring the overall quick time as a result, his fifth of the season.
After session one, Stewart admitted he could have wheeled his race car deeper into the corners, and for the second session he did just that.
“It honestly felt like people were losing a little ground in [turn] four,” Stewart said of second-round qualifying. “I knew if I could get off that corner a little lower on the exit than the guys ahead of me, then I knew my lap was going to be pretty good. I knew the guys ahead were running the top in turns one and two and low in three and four. After I qualified, I felt like I could have run the car low in [turns] one and two. But (in this format) it’s all about getting in the front row of your heat. Confidence is crucial, and hopefully we can capitalize.”
The World of Outlaws series regulars owned both flight B and the overall time sheets, with the top eight drivers in the second Saturday qualifying flight representing full-time faces on the tour.
Stewart was quickest over Pittman, Joey Saldana, David Gravel, Schuchart, Schatz, Johnson and Sweet.
On the overall rundown, Pittman and Saldana were second and third-fastest, respectfully, for the Saturday program. Hodnett followed in fourth, unable to match his speed from the first round that saw him capture the Friday quick time.
Gravel completed the Fast Five ahead of Schuchart, Schatz, Johnson, Sweet and Ian Madsen, who was second-fastest in Saturday flight A behind Hodnett.
Notables outside the top 10 in qualifying for Saturday’s program include four-time champion Danny Lasoski (12th), Dave Blaney (14th), Williams Grove National Open winner Danny Dietrich (21st), Kerry Madsen (34th) and USAC National Midget Series points leader Tanner Thorson (37th).
The Bad Boy Off Road World Finals continues Friday with the opening night of racing action for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, featuring a full slate of heat races and main events.
