Dale Dondel Takes The Pole At The Mint 400
The 2014 Mint 400 is finally upon us and we now know who will start first off the line on race day. The 3.40 mile qualifying loop was held out in Jean, Nevada and had a mix of graded roads, sand washes, rutted out turns, and fast straight aways. Starting positions for this race is very important with so many entries, and as Jesse Jones said yesterday, “you want to be the first person to hit the lapped traffic.” With your starting position vital all the teams today went all out to get that first spot.
Only half a second separated Dale Dondel and Bryce Menzies with Dondel getting the upper hand. With winning the pole position Dondel earns the right to start by himself instead of side by side with Menzies. Only two seconds behind Menzies is Robby Gordon which means that they will start next to one another after Dondel. Your top 5 was rounded out by Harley Letner and Justin Lofton.
The BITD Mint 400 is the largest race in the US and winning the overall is a notch on every racers belt they want to earn. With qualifying set and everyone knowing their starting positions its time for each team to come up with a gameplan. Do they go conservative hoping for other teams to fall behind? Do they go balls out and try and pass everyone first lap? Whatever they do Saturday will be an epic day for all of offroad.
Top 10 Qualifying
1. Dale Dondel
2. Bryce Menzies
3. Robby Gordon
4. Harley Letner
5. Justin Lofton
6. Steve Sourapas
7. Derrick Sproule
8. Tavo Vildosola
9. Pat Dean
10. BJ Baldwin
Photos by Jason Zindroski
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