MARTINSVILLE, Va., April 5 (UPI) -- Jimmie Johnson set a qualifying record at Martinsville Speedway Friday and won the pole for Sunday's Sprint Cup STP Gas Booster 500.
The five-time Sprint Cup series champion qualified with a one-lap speed of 98.400 miles per hour, eclipsing the record of 98.083 mph established at the half-mile track eight years ago by Tony Stewart.
Johnson won his 30th career pole, three of them having come at Martinsville. He started out front and won the race held here last October.
Marcos Ambrose will start on the outside of the first row after posting a speed of 98.364 mph. Brian Vickers qualified third, followed by Joey Logano and Kasey Kahne.
Jeff Gordon, defending series champ Brad Keselowski, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards and Ryan Newman completed the Top 10.
