Martin Truex Jr took his first-ever Bud Pole today at Texas Motor Speedway for Sunday’s Dickies 500 with a time of 27.964 sec (193.105 mph) to become the 17th different pole winner of the season (we’re gonna have one full field for that Shootout next February!). Martin’s previous best starting spot was the outside pole….at Chicagoland in July, at NHIS (still the old name) in September, and at Martinsville last month. Jeff Gordon (who was quickest in practice) will start from the outside pole. A. J. Allmendinger (5th) has his career-best starting spot this weekend. His previous best was 11th at Dover in September. Mark Martin (10th) has his best starting spot since he timed in 10th at Michigan in August. Welcome Back Mike Skinner (14th). This is his first Nextel Cup start since Martinsville last October, and best starting spot since he qualified 7th at Daytona in February of 2005. Paul Menard (16th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 16th at Chicagoland in July. Bill Elliott (30th) has his best starting spot since he qualified 26th at California in September. STREAKIN….Jimmie Johnson has 13 Top-10 starts in the last 14 races. Jeff Gordon has 4 Top-10 starts in a row.(Stock Car Fans)(11-2-2007)
