Martin wins pole in Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Mark Martin won the ninth pole of his career at Bristol Motor Speedway Friday and will start out front in for Saturday's Sharpie 500.

Martin turned in a lap of 124.484 miles per hour, allowing him to tie Cale Yarborough for the most poles won at the track. Martin also won the pole here in March.

After finishing 31st last Sunday at Michigan, Martin dropped to 12th in the points race, the last position that qualifies for the Sprint Cup playoff chase. He is only 12 points in front of Brian Vickers, the Michigan winner.

Greg Biffle finished second to Martin in qualifying by just .02 of a second. Rookie Scott Speed was third and Dave Blaney was fourth.

Points leader Tony Stewart will start 30th.