CONCORD, N.C., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Ryan Newman claimed his NASCAR Winston Cup series-leading eighth pole of the season Thursday night for Saturday's UAW-GM Quality 500.
Driving a Dodge Intrepid at the Lowe's Motor Speedway, Newman lapped the 1 1/2-mile track in 28.930 seconds for a speed of 186.657 miles per hour. He broke the record of 186.034 mph set three years ago by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Newman has won six of his last 13 races, including last week's Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway. It was his eighth victory of the season.
Despite having twice as many wins as any other driver, Newman is in fourth place, 364 points behind Matt Kenseth, who has won just once this season.
Joining Newman on the front row is the Chevrolet Monte Carlo of Jeff Gordon, who was the only other driver to eclipse 186 mph.
