RIDING WITH … Dave Blaney

August 2, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Friday: The Hartford native turned a speed of 165.569 mph to qualify with the 24th fastest time at Pocono Racway. The No. 22 Toyota Caterpillar car will start on the outside of the 12th row Sunday, alongside Joe Nemechek.

Sunday: NASCAR’s top series returns to Long Pond, Pa., for the Pennsylvania 500. Television coverage on ESPN begins at 1 p.m. with the green flag scheduled to drop at 2.

Season to date: Blaney moved up one spot in the Sprint Cup standings, to 30th, overtaking Reed Sorenson. Blaney is just 10 points behind Robby Gordon for 29th spot.

The Vindicator, NASCAR.com