Denny Hamlin wins Richmond pole

RICHMOND, Va., May 2 (UPI) -- Denny Hamlin captured his first Sprint Cup pole of the season Friday, turning in the fastest qualifying lap for Saturday night's Dan Lowry 400 in Richmond, Va.

Hamlin turned in a lap around the Richmond International Raceway in 21.395 seconds for a speed of 126.198 mph.

Hamlin lives only 15 minutes from the track.

"I'm going to have a lot of friends and family out there," he said.

Veteran Mark Martin, racing only part-time on the Sprint Cup circuit this year, had the second-fastest qualifying time at 21.423.

Martin Truex Jr. and rookie Patrick Carpentier will make up the second row.

Points leader Ward Burton qualified 33rd while Kyle Busch, running second to Burton in the points, will start seventh.