It’s not been a good start to Tony Stewart’s weekend. In the afternoon he wrecked his car in paractice and had to go to a backup. In the evening he qualified that car 40th on the grid for Saturday night’s Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at Richmond, the last race before the cutoff for the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

Most of the 11 drivers, including Denny Hamlin who won the pole, still competiting for a Chase spot qualified up front, but Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (33rd) and Kasey Kahne (20th) have to work their way forward from deep in the field.

A determined Stewart and the close-quarters racing at Richmond could mean some fireworks in the first 100 laps. Stay tuned.