Jimmie Johnson wins Sprint Cup qualifying

LONG POND, Pa., Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Jimmie Johnson set a track qualifying record Friday while winning the pole for Sunday's 400-mile, Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway.

Johnson, currently out front of the points race in his bid for a sixth series championship, traveled around the 2.5-mile track at 180.654 miles per hour. It was the 31st pole of his career and his third at Pocono.

Kyle Busch qualified second at 180.639 mph and was followed by Carl Edwards, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and Joey Logano.

The first six qualifiers all broke the previous record of 179.598 mph, set last year by Logano.

Since NASCAR began using the Gen-6 race car this year, 11 qualifying records have been broken.