Rookie Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Doug Horne set the high water mark in the first round of qualifying and then just held on as the track, at least for the bike riders, just didn't offer anything better, which suited Horne just fine.

“It means a lot,” Horne stated, when asked what his first career pole meant to him. “If you look at Spencer, Shawn and Matt … they’ve all had final rounds and one has been a No. 1 qualifier. To get that No. 1 qualifier helps out for rookie of the year. It also gives me a lot of confidence headed into Sunday just by being in that position.”

For Horne, the next step is putting a mark in the win column after two losses this year in the final round.

“After reaching the finals in Houston and in Atlanta, being the last man standing would mean everything to me. Once you get a little taste [of the final round] you gain a hunger and an appetite to be the last man standing.”

Horne admits that being number one is more than just about feeling good when you go to sleep Saturday night. It helps on Sunday, also.

“You’re always going to get those nervous jitters before the round,” Horne said. “I think it doesn’t make you as nervous as it gives you confidence.”

At 19, Horne is filled with confidence and talent. The question is, will it be enough to keep him in the running for wins and for a chance at the rookie of the year title.

“Since I don’t have as many races, I have to make the best of what I have,” Horne said of the rookie competition which also includes Horne, Matt Hagan, Spencer Massey and Shawn Langdon. “It would be nice to have 24 races to show what we’ve got. We just do the best we can with our 17 races.”

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