Vickers Qualifies Sixth at IMS

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (Aug. 7, 2004) – Rookie Brian Vickers led Hendrick Motorsports in Saturday’s Brickyard 400 time trials at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, posting the sixth-best time of 50 drivers attempting to qualify. Piloting the No. 25 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolet, Vickers recorded a lap of 184.665 mph and 48.737 seconds, making him one of six drivers to break the track’s qualifying record. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series point leader Jimmie Johnson also nabbed a top-10 starting position for Sunday’s event, nailing down the ninth spot in the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevy. Four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon will line up directly behind Johnson, his Hendrick teammate, after qualifying 11th in the No. 24 DuPont Chevy. Terry Labonte picked up the 21st starting slot in the No. 5 Kellogg’s Monte Carlo. Casey Mears earned his second consecutive pole position, qualifying his No. 41 entry at 186.293 mph (48.311 seconds) for Sunday’s event.