On The Starting Grid at Dover

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Out on the track, the cars were lined up and wearing their little heat-repelling space blankets. Following driver introductions, the drivers hung out by their cars for a bit before climbing in. Some were chatting with fans—Hot Pass-holders weren’t kicked off the track until right before they fired up the engines. See more pics from the starting grid below the jump.

Cars lined up for the start:

Ryan Newman et al:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. at driver introductions:

Junior talking to crew chief Tony Eury Jr. right before the start. Foreground: Kyle Busch.

Matt Kenseth puttin gon his race booties:

Denny Hamlin contemplates his No. 11 Toyota. He said that in practice, the chassis was "confused."

Jamie McMurray, who is, at the time of writing, totally brining it at Dover in that red-hot Roush Ford.