CONCORD, N.C., May 22 (UPI) -- Sprint Cup points leader Kyle Busch seized the pole Thursday for Sunday's running of NASCAR's longest race -- the Coca-Cola 600.
The event will climax one of the most anticipated weekends of motor racing all year, one that includes the glamorous Monaco Grand Prix on the Formula One circuit and the Indianapolis 500.
Busch turned in a lap of 29.121 seconds around the 1.5-mile Lowe's Motor Speedway. It was his second pole of the season and the fourth of his Sprint Cup career.
Starting alongside Busch will be Sprint Cup All-Star Race winner Kasey Kahne, who had a time of 29.142 seconds.
Brian Vickers (29.150) and Greg Biffle (29.194) will start in the second row.
Two-time defending points champion Jimmie Johnson qualified 10th. He has won five of his 13 starts at this track.
Busch won in Darlington two weeks ago to expand his championship lead to 79 points over Jeff Burton.
