HOMESTEAD, Fla., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Nextel Cup championship leader Kurt Busch captured the pole Friday for Sunday's season-ending race.
Busch won the first pole of the season with a time of 30.114 seconds and a speed of 179.319 miles per hour.
Greg Biffle qualified second, followed by Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne.
With the 36th and final race of the season left to be run, Busch owns an 18-point lead in the championship race over Jimmie Johnson.
Johnson qualified poorly and will start 39th. Jeff Gordon, who will begin the race 21 points behind, will start fifth on Sunday.
The only other two drivers with a chance of winning the title are Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Mark Martin. Earnhardt, who trails by 72 points, will start 16th and Martin, who is 82 points behind, will start 11.
Busch could finish second Sunday and still lose the championship if Johnson wins the race and leads the most laps.
