Virginia (VIR): Johnny Miller qualifying summary

Johnny Miller, driver of the no. 64 Automationdirect/Eaton Cutler-Hammer Jaguar XKR, qualified fourth with a time of 1:49:951 for tomorrow's Trans- Am Race. Seventh "fast five" start this season.set his fast time early in the session but ended his session prematurely when he had an off-track excursion in "Oak Tree" turn.

NOTE 1 - BACKGROUND STATS. Ranks fourth in the points standings.Has three top-three finishes, five top-five finishes, and ten top-ten finishes in 11 starts. In 2001, finished a career-best third in the points standings, after ranking first or second most of the season. In 2001, had five top-three finishes and completed every lap of every race. Earned the Owners' Championship for Rocketsports.Has 30 career top-five finishes. In 2000, scored his first career Trans-Am win at San Diego. Voted "Most Improved Driver" for 1998. Won the "Rookie of the Year" title in 1996.

On his qualifying session and his off-track incident. "I was on a flyer, I'll say that. I really had a good lap going - it would have been in the 48's - I was hauling. But I had too much speed going into "Oak Tree" Turn and slide off. I got on the brakes and made it through the first apex, but was sliding. I tried to straightened it up and brake again, but I got two wheels in the grass. It was accelerating; I put it in low gear trying to hook it up, but I ended up in the tires anyway.

"It looks worse than it is.  We hurt the bodywork and the lower a-arm.
Nothing we can't fix and be ready to go racing.  But it was frustrating."

On his race strategy given the close points battle between he and Stu Hayner. "I have nothing to lose. We've been quick all week, I've been very comfortable here and the car's been good. We'll race clean, but be there at the end to win and let the points fall where they may."

-rsr-