TALLADEGA, Ala., Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Joe Nemechek won his first NASCAR pole of the year Friday by turning in the fastest lap of the day in qualifying for Sunday's EA Sports 500.
Nemechek went around the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway in 50.202 seconds for a speed of 190.749 miles per hour.
This will be the third race of the 10 that determine the Nextel Cup champion.
Jeff Gordon will start Sunday's race with the points lead, followed by Kurt Busch. The 10 drivers in the championship race are separated by 157 points.
Ricky Rudd qualified second with a time of 50.301. Dale Jarrett and Scott Riggs will make up the second row and Gordon qualified fifth.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is third in the championship race, qualified 10th.
The only driver in the championship race who will start outside the top 20 will be Tony Stewart, who will begin the race in the 30th spot.
