AVONDALE, Ariz., April 17 (UPI) -- Mark Martin won his third pole of the year Friday, earning the No. 1 starting position for Sunday's NASCAR Subway Fresh Fit 500 in Arizona.
Martin circled the Phoenix International Raceway in 26.903 seconds for a speed of 133.814 mph.
Brothers Kyle and Kurt Busch finished second and third in qualifying, followed by points' leader Jeff Gordon, Brian Vickers and Tony Stewart.
Jimmie Johnson, who is 162 points behind Gordon in second place, qualified 10th.
Martin has been one of the most competitive drivers on this year's NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit, but engine trouble and a blown tire caused him to finish near the back of the pack in three straight races.
Over the last three events, however, Martin has finished sixth, seventh and sixth. That has moved him from 34th place to 18th in the points' standings.
He is 93 points out of the No. 12 spot, which is the last position that earns a berth in the championship chase over the final 10 races of the season.
