Early in his career, Ryan Newman was given the nickname “The Rocket” because of his ability to qualify on the pole. He earned his first pole during his rookie season, the following year he got six and the year after that he started on the pole 11 times. Throughout his career, Newman has earned an incredible 43 poles. Unfortunately, in the past two years he has only earned one pole each season.

He is looking to change that this weekend at Michigan and according to his speeds in the first practice session, he has a good shot at it.

Newman topped the charts early this afternoon with a lap time of 38.064, four-tenths and almost two miles per hour faster than second place Joey Logano.

Earnhardt Ganassi teammates Juan Montoya and Martin Truex Jr. ended up third and fourth on the charts, respectively.

Carl Edwards, who is still hunting his first win of the season, finished practice in fifth.

June’s Michigan race winner, Mark Martin, wound up sixth and teammate Jeff Gordon ended the session in seventh.

Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson, who is winless at MIS, and Brian Vickers rounded out the top-10.

Other notable drivers include previous race winners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch who ended the first practice session 15th, 23rd and 28th, respectively. Qualifying at Michigan International Speedway will begin today at 3:30pm ET and will be broadcast on Speed.

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