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Jeff Gordon claims NASCAR pole

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y., Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Jeff Gordon won the pole at Watkins Glen International for the first time in five years and set a track record Friday for the Sirius at the Glen.

Gordon's lap of 124.580 miles per hour in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo blew away Dale Jarrett's 2001 mark of 122.700 mph. He edged Roush Racing teammates Greg Biffle and Mark Martin.

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"A lot of teams have stepped up their road course programs," Gordon said. "Last year, we didn't run as well as we wanted. That's why we decided to use one of our tests at The Glen."

Gordon is Winston Cup's all-time leader with seven road course victories, winning four times at Watkins Glen.

The top six drivers eclipsed 124 mph on a cloudy day that was perfect for speed at the historic track in New York's Finger Lakes region.

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