Hamlin wins pole for NASCAR race

FONTANA, Calif., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Denny Hamlin, sixth in the Sprint Cup points list with seven races to go, captured the pole Friday for Sunday's running of the Pepsi 500.

Hamlin, the third driver to make his qualifying attempt, produced a lap of 183.870 miles per hour around the 2-mile Fontana track. It was his seventh career pole and his first since May 2008.

He is 99 points behind front runner Mark Martin in the 10-race Chase for the Championship.

"It's been a long time for me, especially on a track like this," Hamlin said. "Our big track program -- mile-and-a-half and two-mile programs -- have been getting better and better. It's kind of our strong suit at this point."

David Reutimann, who is not a part of the Chase, qualified second. His time was disallowed, however, after his Toyota failed post-qualifying inspection. He will start 42nd.

Greg Biffle will start second, followed by Jimmie Johnson and Juan Pablo Montoya. Johnson is second in the Chase, 18 points behind Martin. Montoya is in third place, 51 points out of the lead.

Martin will start in eighth place. Ryan Newman qualified the worst among the 12 Chase drivers and will start in 36th place.