Michigan Qualifying Not What Hamlin Expected

Several hours before every qualifying session, a representative for each driver goes to the qualifying draw. There, each driver's representative is given a chance at drawing a numbered ball that decides what position that driver will go out to qualify. The trick is to draw a high number. The higher the number, the better chance you have at starting at the front.

For those drivers outside the Top 35 in Owner's Points, it's a bit of a mute point. It's a well known fact that the drivers that are in the "go or go home" portion of qualifying have a slight advantage over the rest of the field. While they must qualify on time or they miss the race, the fact that they go after the rest of the cars have laid down rubber on the track and have optimal track conditions does work in their favor.

Denny Hamlin needs to fire whoever drew his qualifying spot this week. He went out 4th and quickly fell back in the field. His qualifying time of 183.491 was -1.050 seconds behind Brian Vickers time of 188. 536. Hamlin made it around the 2 mile oval in 39.239 seconds while Vickers clocked a time of 38. 189. With that vast a difference between Hamlin and the pole sitter, he will have to start the 3M Performance 400 from 37th position. He will be flanked by the #15 of Paul Menard and fellow Chaser Kevin Harvick in his #29 Chevrolet. Clint Bowyer, also fighting for a spot in the top 12 will roll off the grid in 41st.

Brian Vickers grabbed his 5th Pole position, his first at Michigan. He will be joined by Jimmie Johnson, Elliott Sadler, Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jeff Gordon.

While the idea of making his way to the front of the field isn't totally out of the question, the Fed Ex Office crew will certainly have their work cut out for them. Over half of the winners of past races at the 2-mile Oval at Michigan have come from the Top 5, not good statistics for the struggling 11 team.

If anyone can pull off the near impossible, it is Denny Hamlin. Crew Chief Mike Ford has the knowledge to make wise choices and to use pit strategy to his driver's advantage. So don't hit the panic button just yet. Hamlin has come from behind to cement a solid finish before and he is more than capable of doing it again.

Hamlin's goal for Sunday's race, get to the front and stay there. His job in the meantime, find someone else to draw the qualifying spot for next week. Maybe Denny forgot to walk around his chair 3 times before he sat down to breakfast this morning. Sounds like he better monitor that a little closer next week.