Kenseth awarded NASCAR pole

LOUDON, N.H., July 18 (UPI) -- Qualifying for the NASCAR New England 300 was canceled due to rain Friday, putting Matt Kenseth on the pole.

Rain started in the morning during the Busch Series practice runs and continued through the afternoon, forcing NASCAR officials to cancel both the Busch Series and Winston Cup qualifying.

The Winston Cup cars did not even get on the 1.058-mile track Friday, but weather permitting they will have two 45-minute practices Saturday. The practices could be important as the turns on the speedway were repaved earlier this year.

Jeff Gordon will start second, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bobby Labonte and Michael Waltrip.