Cup drivers make it to Montreal in time to qualify

MONTREAL -- For his first visit around Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Nationwide Series points leader Clint Bowyer had a good time, even if the stopwatch didn't agree.

"Neat racetrack," Bowyer said. "Obviously, I'm looking forward to the race. I'll have to pick the pace up quite a bit in the race. I kinda, at least in the back of my mind, know where I'm going and I'll be all right."

Bowyer, who flew from Pocono on Saturday morning in time to qualify 29th in the NAPA Auto Parts 200 field, picked up time on each of his qualifying laps.

"We were gaining on it," he said. "We're probably a couple of seconds behind, and I've got a pretty good idea where I might be able to pick those up in the race.

"Obviously, the chicanes are pretty tight and it takes time to learn how to carry momentum through there, because that's where you gain your time."

None of the five drivers who are attempting to do double-duty this weekend had an opportunity to practice at the 14-turn, 2.709-mile road course before strapping in for the qualifying session. However, with Pocono practice being a complete washout (read more), all were able to get to Montreal in plenty of time to get acclimated with the track.

Greg Biffle was the fastest of the five, qualifying with the 16th-quickest time. Roush Fenway teammate Carl Edwards went out early in the session and posted a time good enough to start 18th.

"I was just looking around, trying to get a good idea [of the braking points]," Edwards said. "I still almost ran off the track over there, but Boris [Said] and those guys helped me out a lot. Erik [Darnell] helped me to know where my braking points where and that worked out."

Darnell practiced the car for Edwards on Friday.

David Ragan was glad to get out and run a few laps, even if it meant starting 30th. David Reutimann will roll off 32nd.

"That's three or four practice laps that [means] we're that far ahead," Ragan said. "We knew we couldn't just show up and try to contend for a top-10 qualifying start but just a few practice laps, so we know our shifts, get comfortable in the seat and the steering wheel's fine.

"Obviously, the worst thing I could have done here was lock the brakes up, run off course or tear my racecar up, so I was taking it easy, figuring out where the corners are, where to shift at -- and still, even the last few laps were easy laps."

No matter what, Edwards was determined to enjoy his stay, even as short as it will be.

"These are fun weekends, going back and forth," Edwards said. "I love coming to Canada. I wish I had more time to be here."