I guess I just don't get it, why would anyone travel from the west end of Canada just to park their car after the first couple of laps??  I understand that Canadian drivers have not brought much if any sponsor money with them and making a pay day of $31,000 (approx) for 1 lap but still why not stay on the track and complete laps as we know there will be plenty of beat up sheet metal by the more aggressive teams.  Then they would make more than that.

Well I think they will be trying to race more then one lap as this is a real opportunity to get noticed.

In their first time in these kinds of cars, Thomson qualifies a very respectful 32nd and Steckly is in 37th. At least Donnie made a statement with his  qualifying run and as a racer that probably explains part of the why of it. Of course he would want to be out there racing with them because as a racer he surely feels he can run with them.

9 Canadians in the field is a record.

Very international top 8 with Aussie Ambrose on the pole out to erase the memories of last year's slugfest with Robbie Gordon, Italian Mad Max Papis on the outside and 4 Canucks. Nice to see Ranger picked up the pace to nip at the heels of Carpentier, Villeneuve and Fellows. The fastest pure oval tracker a surprising Steve Wallace in 9th.

Question - If the 90 and 91 are going the full distance, why did they only do two laps each in both practice sessions?

Mobil1 are you a lawyer? 😉 Lawyers only ask questions that they already know the answers to.

No worries though, apparently I can't read as what I thought was qualifying was only the final practice rankings and qualifying is in fact underway now. Duh!