The deafening roar of race engines provided much-needed solace to a community that's suffered through its most painful week ever.

``After a tragedy like we all suffered, it's part of the healing process,'' driver Steve Park said after qualifying his Earnhardt-owned Chevrolet Monte Carlo on the outside pole for today's Dura-Lube 400. ``I honestly wish we could have gotten back in the race car on Wednesday and got back to doing what we all do.

``Sitting around and dwelling on things that have happened in the past and things that have happened this week really works on your emotions. Getting back in the car and doing what you love to do and doing what comes naturally to you helps heal your mind. And it's the first step of starting to put this tragedy behind us.''

Jeff Gordon, a nemesis for Earnhardt in the past nine years, wore a hat with a red ``3'' after winning the pole for today's race. It was his way to pay homage to the seven-time champion who died instantly in a crash on the last lap of last Sunday's Daytona 500.

``That's why I put this No. 3 hat on: to let everyone know we're thinking of Dale,'' Gordon said after running his Dupont Chevrolet 156.368 mph to the pole position. ``I want to dedicate this pole to him. It's a great opportunity to let everyone know how much I respected him and how much we're going to miss him.''

Gordon's fast lap means he will start first in today's main event (1 p.m., FOX). It was his second career pole at the 1.017-mile raceway.

Unlike most of the other drivers who pressed hard on the first of two qualifying laps, Gordon went half-speed on his first circuit, then floored it on his second pass.

``I have felt all along that the second lap, if you gave up the first one, should be a little better,'' he said. ``You should carry a little more momentum. I didn't notice many other guys doing it that way, but I'm glad we just stuck with our game plan.''

Cold temperatures and harder tires made it difficult to get the tires warm during the qualifying run. Gordon's plan allowed the tires an extra lap to build up heat traction.

``I had mixed emotions about it,'' he said. ``But it just seemed to work for us.''

Park, who drives one of three cars from the Dale Earnhardt Inc. racing stables, qualified second at 156.395 mph. And like all 43 drivers in the starting lineup, he was glad to get back to work.

``We've had a long week,'' he said. ``I'm tired. I've never done so little and been so tired in all my life. It's been an emotionally draining week. It definitely feels great to be back at the race track. Getting back in the race car, I think, is the first step in the healing process that we're all going to go through.''

NASCAR's new rules allowing for only one round of qualifying meant two drivers - Kyle Petty and Andy Houston - didn't get a second chance to make the field. Neither was quick enough or had enough car owner points from last season to make the starting lineup.

Michael Waltrip, who drove an Earnhardt-owned Chevrolet to a victory in the Daytona 500, crashed his primary car during a morning practice session. He qualified in a backup car knowing he had to make the lineup on speed since he's part of a new team with no car owner points from 2000.

His first lap wasn't quick enough, but his second shot him to seventh in the starting grid.

``I lost sight of the goal this morning and wrecked,'' Waltrip said. ``I prayed and prayed that it would work out. Making this race was huge for me.''

His speed of 155.379 mph included a brush with the fourth-turn wall.

The third DEI car, driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr., qualified 25th.

Although Earnhardt owned three race cars, he drove for another team. His car, a black No. 3 Chevrolet, was changed to an all-white car with No. 29 for today's race and the rest of the season. Rookie Kevin Harvick, who finished second in Saturday's Busch Series race, qualified the car in 36th place.

``Not bad for our first time and the conditions we were dealt,'' he said. ``I think we did fine. I think once we get into race trim, we'll be great. We'll make it work.''

Every car in the starting lineup sported a decal honoring Earnhardt. The greatest tribute, however, was being back at full speed.

``It's not the same,'' said Bobby Labonte, the defending series champion. ``You don't feel the same. We've got heavy hearts, but you definitely want to go racing. It's a deal where - and it might sound sissy - we all need to hold hands and go forward instead of going backwards.

``We're all family here. When we pulled in through this gate, I might not know everybody's names, but I know your faces, and you're all family. We all need to go forward because we're still a family.''

Said Rusty Wallace, ``I grieved all last week, and I'm going to grieve for along time. That's not going to stop. But you've got to get back in the game sometime.''

Reach Don Coble.