LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — Ryan Newman was the last car out and the fastest on the track, turning a lap of 135.002 mph to win the pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Newman won the pole for the second time at New Hampshire this season. He started first in July and went on to win his only race of the season. Newman is seventh in the points standings and has three total poles this year.
Newman almost didn’t take a qualifying run Friday. Rain delayed qualifying with five cars left. Newman made it worth the wait.
Red Bull Racing drivers Kasey Kahne was second and Brian Vickers was third. Greg Biffle and Kurt Busch round out the top five.
Had rain wiped out qualifying, the field would have been set on practice times. Busch struggled early Friday and would have started in the 30s had that happened.
