AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Mark Martin has won his third pole of the season, qualifying first Friday night at Phoenix International Raceway.Martin ran a lap at 133.814 mph in his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to beat Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch for the top starting spot Saturday night. Before this season, Martin had not won a pole since 2001.
Kyle Busch qualified second with a lap at 133.725 in a Toyota, and older brother Kurt was third in a Dodge with a lap at 133.700.
Jeff Gordon qualified fourth in a Chevrolet and was followed by Brian Vickers in a Toyota.
The top 10 was rounded out by Tony Stewart, Paul Menard, David Reutimann, Regan Smith and Jimmie Johnson.
Six drivers failed to make the race, including Todd Bodine and Jeremy Mayfield.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-18-2009 @ 9:44AM
Kim said...
Congratulations to Mark, but unfortunately we've seen this two other times this season. He makes the pole and then ends up going backwards. Is Gustaffson still his crew chief? If so, I am surprised that the Kellogs team has trouble making adjustments during a race that would help Mark win the race. Mark is an amazing driver and is one driver that knows his cars. He reports in great detail what is going on with the car and what needs done to fix it and make it better during a race.
I wonder, is his crew not stepping up to the plate? Mark has the talent, the determination and definitely the stamina to pull of a race win, so what's the problem?
As for the top ten, the only surprise is Menard. But as always he will qualify well and then drop back throughout the race.
Way to go Reuttimann! I love this guy and am so pleased to finally see him having some success this season!
As for the rest of the top ten....I predicted the race would be won by Gordon, Johnson or Stewart with the possible monkey wrench drivers being Kyle & Kurt Busch. Everyone else, including our Fanhouse writers suggested that Roush drivers, Edwards and Biffle would be a factor. Where are they starting again? Not in the top ten. They won't be a factor tonight.
Kim
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4-19-2009 @ 11:50AM
firstbreak said...
Hey, nice pick with Gordon. I wonder if it's Gordon or his crew that ruined his night? Just kidding, from a life long Martin fan!
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4-19-2009 @ 8:34PM
Welcome Dawn said...
Jr has become the joke of NASCAR his team is a disgrace from JR himself down to the entire pit crew. Tony HAS TO GO. They are making the same mistakes over and over and over . Stewart come along and take a new team to the front and JR starts in front and will always end up in the back.
M Martin joins a new team and runs up front this whould be telling JR something if not he should get the hell out.
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4-20-2009 @ 9:17AM
Kim said...
firstbreak :
You're right!!! I didn't factor in Martin at all and that was a poor call on my part. I was also way off base with Gordon, although in my defense, he and his team have done amazingly well this year in comparrison with last. They had a bad race. Bad pit stops!
As for the rest of my predictions....I was right on! :-) T.S. was second and was a factor the whole race. A Busch brother was third and J.J. was fourth. So three out of four ain't bad as they say as far as predictions go. :-)
A huge congratulations to Mark Martin though! I too am a fan of his and this win has been a long time coming! Hopefully there'll be many more. I don't think there is a NASCAR fan out there that wouldn't be thrilled to see Martin get his championship.
Kim
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