TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Elliott Sadler wasn't even paying attention as everyone tried to knock off his pole-setting speed Friday at Talladega Superspeedway.

Sadler was the fourth of 49 drivers who attempted to qualify for Sunday's EA Sports 500, putting up a speed of 189.943 mph in his No. 38 Ford. It was about 2½ hours before he learned that his time held up, giving him the second pole of the year and his career.

"We did not watch it on TV. We did not have any radios on,'' Sadler said. "Actually, EA Sports sent me the new 2004 NASCAR game, so we played that for 2½ hours. We just took our whole mind off of it.

"I've got enough gray hair as it is.''

As the qualifying session drew toward a close, Sadler's public relations handler, Amy Walsh, suggested that he get dressed and prepare for some interviews. But the driver refused to budge until Jimmie Johnson, who went out 47th, finished his two-lap run around the 2.66-mile trioval.

"I'm not moving until that 48 car goes out. After he goes out, then I'll go get ready,'' Sadler told Walsh.

Johnson wound up with the third-fastest speed, 189.189. He'll start behind Sadler and Jamie McMurray (189.395).

By the way, how did Sadler fare on the video game?

"I won one and my PR guy wrecked me on one, so I really didn't do good in the second race,'' he said with a grin.

Headache keeps Stewart out
Tony Stewart couldn't practice Saturday because of a severe migraine headache.

Kyle Petty, who failed to qualify for the EA Sports 500, filled in during the first of the morning practices. Bobby Labonte got behind the wheel for the final session, driving four laps in the No. 20 car.

Crew chief Greg Zipadelli is confident that Stewart will be able to race Sunday, though Petty is standing by to fill in for the defending Winston Cup champion.

"He's had (the headaches) before,'' Zipadelli said. "This seems to be worse than normal in that it didn't pass with the regular medication. I really don't see any problems. I imagine it's a normal deal. Usually, he can get through them.''

Stewart slept during practice, hoping to alleviate the pain. A final decision on whether he can race will be made Sunday morning.

"We'll give him tonight to rest and go from there,'' Zipadelli said. "I don't anticipate it being anything other than a normal day.''

Adding to his pain
Stewart and Jeremy Mayfield and need to watch their language.

The drivers were fined $5,000 apiece by NASCAR for using foul language during NBC's telecast of the MBNA America 400 at Dover International Speedway.

Stewart is used to breaking out his wallet. His notorious temper has cost him tens of thousands of dollars in fines, and earned him a spot on NASCAR's probation list.

After attending anger management classes, Stewart has been on his best behavior, even while enduring a disappointing season as the defending Winston Cup champion. He goes into Sunday's race 10th in the point standings with only one victory.

Buckshot's back
Steve Park will be watching a race for the first time this year.

Driving the No. 30 car for Richard Childress Racing, Park managed just 185.743 mph and failed to qualify.

"We struggled during practice but thought we would be able to make the race,'' Childress said. "In the end, though, we shouldn't have been in that position because Steve and the AOL team are better than that.''

Fortunately for Childress, he did get another car in the field when John Andretti qualified 24th at 187.776. But that didn't lessen the sting of Park failing to make the 43-car lineup.

"We will just have to regroup and do everything we can to keep this from happening again,'' Childress said.

Among the surprises: Buckshot Jones will make only his second Winston Cup start of the season in a car owned by Michael Waltrip. Jones turned the 16th-fastest speed, 188.137, and will actually start two places ahead of his owner.

Joining Park on the did-not-qualify list: Kyle Petty, Kevin Lepage, Jason Leffler, Mike Bliss and Todd Bodine.

Honoring Davey
Jamie McMurray, who will start on the outside of the front row Sunday, should be one of the most popular drivers in the race.

McMurray's car has the same colors and paint scheme as the one used by Davey Allison when he won at Talladega in 1987.

Allison, an enormously popular member of the "Alabama Gang,'' was killed in a helicopter crash while attempting to land at the speedway 10 years ago.

"We've got a lot on our shoulders this weekend to keep these Talladega race fans on their feet,'' said McMurray, who now has the sponsor, Havoline, that once backed Allison's team. "I remember having quite a few Davey Allison collectibles. I'm living a dream right now.''