Busch to Start Fifth at Lowe’s

CONCORD, N.C. (May 23, 2003) – Kyle Busch made quite a splash in his first-ever qualifying attempt in the NASCAR Busch Series on Friday, earning the fifth starting position for Saturday’s CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. With a lap of 182.156 in the No. 87 ditech.com Chevrolet, Busch briefly held the track qualifying record before being supplanted by eventual pole-sitter Kevin Harvick. Driving the No. 5 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolet with a special CARQUEST paint scheme, Brian Vickers qualified 18th at 179.832 mph. As the only driver to break the 182-mph barrier, Busch paced his first career Busch Series practice earlier in the day, followed by Vickers in 29th. In Friday’s final “Happy Hour” practice, the No. 87 ditech.com Chevy was 13th at 176.759, with the No. 5 GMAC Monte Carlo in 26th. Kevin Harvick paced the session at 178.974 mph. Saturday’s CARQUEST Auto Parts 300 is scheduled for a 1 p.m. EDT green flag.