Paige Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation-sponsored Bandolero blistered Charlotte Motor Speedway’s frontstretch quarter-mile on Monday, posting the fastest time in qualifying for Friday’s Better Half Dash – a bumper-banging showdown of some of NASCAR’s fastest females racing for charities during Bojangles’ Pole Night.
Keselowski’s 20.24-second lap topped Jennifer Anderson’s best run by a scant .049 seconds.
“That’s exciting,” said Keselowski, whose husband, Brad, won the 2013 Bank of America 500. “I really wanted to get the pole this year. I missed by just a bit last year to Katelyn Sweet, so it’s nice to get it this year. On Friday night, the plan is to stay up front. There’s some fast girls up front, so if you fall to the back it won’t be easy to get back to the front.”
Keselowski’s quick lap time won’t guarantee the No. 1 spot for Friday’s race, though. Fans can decide which Better Half Dash driver gets to pick their starting spot by donating money to drivers’ causes at http://www.go2mro.com/betterhalfdash/drivers.php.
Here’s a breakdown of the 11 drivers, their chosen charities and their lap times:
- Paige Keselowski, girlfriend of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski (The Brad Keselowski Checkered Flag Foundation): 20.244 seconds
- Jennifer Anderson, girlfriend of Camping World Truck Series driver Austin Wayne Self (Hermie & Elliott Sadler Foundation and Motor Racing Outreach): 20.293
- Kate Tomaino, wife of NASCAR mechanic Trey Tomaino (V.E.T.S, Keeping Faith and Motor Racing Outreach): 20.459
- Tammy Rice, wife of Kaulig Racing crew chief Chris Rice (Motor Racing Outreach): 20.475
- Chelsea Fetzer, wife of Chip Ganassi Racing tire carrier Ben Fetzer (Camp Courage): 20.653
- Tati Papis, wife of MPI steering wheels founder and former driver Max Papis (Motor Racing Outreach): 20.773
- Anna Baldwin, wife of Chip Ganassi Racing tire changer Cory Baldwin (Motor Racing Outreach): 21.044
- Marisa Erspamer, wife of Hendrick Motorsports tire carrier Jared Erspamer (Motor Racing Outreach and Special Olympics NC): 21.120
- Amanda Fischbeck, wife of Joe Gibbs Racing tire carrier Ben Fischbeck (The Kolbe Fund): 21.461
- Tina Bullins, wife of Wood Brothers Racing crew chief Jeremy Bullins (Motor Racing Outreach and Rowan County Animal Shelter): 21.663
- Jessica Nichols, wife of Team Penske tire specialist Dave Nichols (Joey Logano Foundation): 22.117
TICKETS:
Fans can buy tickets to the Oct. 6-8 Bank of America 500 race weekend by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267), or visiting http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets/. All adult tickets to the Bank of America 500 are good for admission to the Oct. 7 Brad Paisley concert presented by Wrangler and Nationwide saluting the JR Nation Appreci88ion Tour at zMAX Dragway. For tickets, camping packages and upgrades, fans can call the ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or shop online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.
CMS PR (John Davison/CMS Photo)
