Dale Jr. top Chevrolet at Infineon Raceway

Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't think he had a top 10 car when he qualified for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. He was hoping to start the race in the top 15.
It turns out he had the third fastest car in qualifying and the fastest among the Chevrolet teams. He was helped by the fact that Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, two other Chevrolet drivers, did not get the chance to qualify. They were penalized when their cars did not pass inspection on Friday.
As for Earnhardt Jr., he said he did not give his team enough credit because of his practice sessions.
"I didn't know what the car was capable of," said Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet for Dale Earnhardt Inc. "I was really surprised the car was as quick as it was and that lap was as good as it was. I didn't make any mistakes but I think there was a whole lot more in the race car and in the speed. I'm really happy to qualify amongst the competitors that I did. That was pretty good for our team."
Even though Gordon and Johnson will have to start the race from the back -- they both qualified for the race on owner's points -- a smart pit strategy will give them a great opportunity to pass cars on pit road.
"You have to sacrifice something to gain that. But for Jeff Gordon, as good a team as they are, they can overcome that," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I haven't been able to put it all together yet. I just want to be able to stay out on the asphalt and not make any mistakes and get one in the bag and get a top 10 here. That's my goal."