BURKART'S CONSISTENCY EARNS HIM A SPOT IN THE FIELD

Brainerd, Minn. (8/12/06) -- Phil Burkart drove his blue Checker, Schuck's, Kragen Monte Carlo went from dead last on the sheet on Friday night to a spot the field on Saturday, with a pair of nearly identical runs. His first Saturday lap, a 4.924, moved him from outside the grid into the 15th spot. By the time he ran his final lap, Burkart was sitting on the bump spot, but Whit Bazemore was outside the field and was coincidentally sitting in the lane next to him. In simple terms, Burkart knew that if he outran Bazemore he'd have a chance to race on Sunday. Burkart did his part, running a 4.926, but Bazemore's car settled the deal for him before he ever took the green light, as it sprang an oil leak that caused the team to shut off at the line. Burkart will enter eliminations from the 16th spot, and will face John Force in round one.

"Let me just say that I've never been more thrilled to be the 16th qualifier," Burkart said. "Both of the CSK cars have been testing while racing here, putting new stuff on the cars and trying to get qualified while doing that. We basically had to give away both Friday sessions, as we found out where we were with the approach we're taking, and we came out here today knowing we could put some full laps on the board today. We did that, and even though we only are racing out of the 16th position, we're in the show and that's an accomplishment.

"Like anyone, we would've liked to have gone a little quicker on the final lap, but very few teams were doing that. Our teammates on the red side of the Team CSK pit were really the only ones who stepped up with the sun on the track, so we'll be happy to have put two very consistent laps on the board. Now, we have to race Force in round one, but I honestly think they can't be too thrilled to face us. They're awesome over there, and John is one of the best who ever strapped into a race car, but we've beaten those guys enough to know we can do it again."