Drivers to watch in today's NNS Top Gear 300

Kimi Raikkonen chats with car owner Joe Nemechek in the garage at CMS
Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Kimi Raikkonen: The Formula One world champ will debut in NASCAR’S Nationwide Series today driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Last weekend was his first race for the NASCAR’S World Camping Truck Series, he started 31st and finished in 15th. Thursday was his first day driving the Nationwide Kyle Busch Motorsports Perky Jerky Toyota and he clocked a speed of 176.220 in 30.642 seconds. He goes out 15th today in qualifying.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr: Ricky is having quite a week after becoming the first Nationwide driver to actually win a race this season. (In case you missed it Ricky won the John Deer Dealers 250 from Iowa Speedway.) He’s making strides in Charlotte this week, recording the fastest time in practice on Thursday and earning him the right to go out and qualify 30th today. Tomorrow night, Stenhouse Jr. will be driving in his longest race to date in teammate Trevor Bayne’s car; he races the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane & Auto Ford. He qualified the Wood Brothers car to start in the fifth row, in 9th position with a lap time of 28.309 seconds at 190.752 mph. There have been a lot of surprises in racing this year and there are sure to be a few to come this weekend.

Jeffrey Earnhardt: He will make his third start in the Nationwide series today driving the No. 41 Pepsi Max/Nuts off/Fastwax Chevrolet. After a challenging time in the Truck Series, Earnhardt’s luck has brought him to the Nationwide series; he clocked a speed of 170.455 in 31.680 seconds.

The Nationwide Series goes out to qualify at 10 a.m. ET today, which will be aired on SPEED and the Top Gear 300 Nationwide Race starts at 2:30 and airs on your local ABC station.
Drivers to watch in today's NNS Top Gear 300 Drivers to watch in today's NNS Top Gear 300 Reviewed by Unknown on Saturday, May 28, 2011 Rating: 5