By Andy Walter

DOVER — As he waited his turn, Chris Buescher said he couldn’t help notice that NASCAR Cup qualifying was a little hazardous on Saturday morning.

At least four drivers ended up damaging their cars during the session.

“Practice was very interesting,” said Buescher. “Obviously, we had a lot of torn-up equipment. I was watching that with a lot of apprehension — trying not to be one of those.”

But Buescher not only made it through qualifying unscathed, the 29-year-old Texan ended up winning the first pole in his eight seasons on the circuit.

Buescher, who is 20th in the season points standings, will start up front in Sunday’s Duramax Drydene 400.

Denny Hamlin will start second with Kyle Larson in third. Season points leader Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.

Buescher said teammate Brad Keselowski gave him some helpful advice before he qualified.

“Good to do that here in Dover,” Buescher said winning the pole. “I love this place. It’s a ride. We’re flying around here.”

Adopted Delawarean

Ross Chastain is originally from Florida.

But the 29-year-old Cup driver has spent more than his share of time in Delaware over the past year.

That’s because last season one of his sponsors was the Delaware Office of Highway Safety as part of its ‘Buckle Up, Protect your Melon campaign.’ Chastain ended up in the First State doing promotional appearances.

“Like Delaware people think I live here,” he joked on Saturday. “I’d be here for the state fair, I’d be here for the week leading up to the race and that’s not just the normal NASCAR schedule.”

Man of few words

Kyle Busch can be notoriously short with reporters.

So, when the veteran driver was asked about whether he’d had conversations this week about his future with Joe Gibbs Racing, Busch was straight and to the point.

“Yeah, there were some discussions and such,” said Busch, who was wearing a t-shirt that read ‘Clickbait.’ “There is nothing to elaborate on, it’s all good.’’

Busch said last week that he was unsure of his future with Gibbs.

Lighting it up

Seemingly forever, people have wondered if Dover Motor Speedway will ever have lights installed.

But, while he said it’s not out of the question, track president Mike Tatoian said he doesn’t think a lighted Monster Mile is imminent. He said all the main stakeholders — like NASCAR and the broadcast network — would have to agree it’s the right thing to do.

He also pointed out that not only would the track itself need to be lighted, but also the area around the facility.

“That currently isn’t in the conversation, although it’s talked about,” Tatoian said about lights. “But it’s not being contemplated at this point.”

More melons

Chastain’s recent success — he’s won two of the lats five Cup races — has given his family’s history as watermelon growers a little more attention.

Chastain smashes a melon in victory lane if he wins. He said he always has one ready to go each weekend — as both motivation and just in case.

A couple years ago, when Chastain won an Xfinity race at Daytona, he said he and his friends must have smashed 30 melons.

“I mean, all night after that race, just busting them all over the infield with people,” he said on Saturday. “I try to, if we have extras, let other people bust them because that’s cool. That means that we won.

“Sunday night, early into Monday morning, there is a video of some of my buddies busting one open (and) I’m just watching. That’s really cool.”

Star gazing

A number of celebrities are slated to be at the track on Sunday.

Singer Jimmie Allen of course will be on hand since the Milton native is performing a pre-race concert in Victory Plaza at 12:45 p.m.

Another celebrity with Delaware ties, actor Ryan Phillippe, will be driving the honorary pace car before the race.

Former Philadelphia Eagles’ QB Ron Jaworski will appear at the BMW Championship display in the FanZone from 10 a.m. to noon. He’ll also be at Victory Plaza at 12:15 p.m. alongside three-time Dover champion Martin Truex Jr. and current Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham.

Also on hand is Riki Rachtman. The MTV legend is serving as a pre-race emcee, suite host and will conduct Q&As with various drivers throughout the weekend.

Pit stops

William Byron and Josh Bilicki both had to go to backup cars for Sunday’s race after damaging their top cars during practice on Saturday. ... Sunday’s race is the 104th NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover. The Monster Mile is one of only 10 venues in the country to host 100 or more Cup Series events. ... Ty Dillon will be without car chief Cam Strader for Sunday’s race after twice failing pre-qualifying inspection on Friday.

Sports editor Andy Walter can be reached at 302-741-8227 or walter@iniusa.org.

Follow on Twitter at @DSNSports.