Ryan Newman wins NASCAR pole

CONCORD, N.C., Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Ryan Newman won the pole Thursday for Saturday's Bank of America 500 at Concord, N.C., the fifth of 10 races that make up NASCAR's championship chase.

Newman made it around the 1.5-mile Lowe's Motor Speedway track in 28.515 seconds. It was his fifth pole victory this season and the 42nd of his Nextel Cup career.

Seven of his career poles have come on the Lowe's track.

Jimmie Johnson, who was fastest in practice, will start alongside Newman, while the second row will be made up of Bobby Labonte and championship points leader Jeff Gordon.

Gordon will start Saturday's race with a nine-point lead over Johnson. Clint Bowyer is in third place, 63 points behind. He qualified 25th Thursday.