Menard takes Budweiser Shootout pole

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Paul Menard has the pole position for Saturday's Sprint Cup Budweiser Shootout at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

The race partly consists of the top-six teams from each manufacturer, based on final 2008 owner points.

Menard, driving the No. 98 Ford for Yates Racing, earned the pole among 28 drivers Thursday night, and will compete in the preseason, non-points race for the first time.

"I'll take it," he told reporters. "In the past, I've had to watch it on TV, but this year we'll be a part of it."

Menard recorded his first career Sprint Cup pole last July at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona when he drove for Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Elliott Sadler will join Menard on the front row, with Reed Sorenson and Scott Speed on row two, and Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart on row three.

Defending race winner Dale Earnhardt, Jr. starts in the ninth position.