NASCAR: Paul Menard has the pole of the Coke Zero 400, Patrick Carpentier starts 10th

The Coke Zero 400 presented by Coca-Cola is to be run Saturday evening at the legendary 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. As usual, it's a «restrictor plate» race and in that case, some surprises might arise.

That might explain why Paul Menard (Chevrolet No 15) has the pole position for the race followed by Mark Martin (who just signed for two years with Hendrick Motorsport and the No 5 Chevy) and Dale Earnhardt (Chevy No 88).

Canadian driver Patrick Carpentier (Dodge No 10) has posted the 10th best time just behind series points leader Kyle Busch (Camry No 18).

Scott Riggs (Chevy No 66) and J.J. Yeley (who finished 3rd last week in New Hampshire) did not qualify.

Incidentally, the Craftsman Truck series was not racing this weekend as previously announced. The teams will be back in action on July 19 at the Kentucky Speedway.