NSCS Pole Report: Mark Martin wins pole at Phoenix

Mark Martin earned his 56th Sprint Cup pole at Phoenix on Friday.
Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR
Mark Martin claimed his second straight pole for the spring race at Phoenix International Raceway with a fastest lap of 138.074 mph in Friday's qualifying session. This is his third pole at Phoenix and the 56th pole of his Sprint Cup Series career. Martin now sits 7th on NASCAR's all-time poles list.
 
Kasey Kahne will start on the outside pole. Rounding out the top are Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon. According to SPEED, Johnson's racecar went three times through NASCAR's new laser inspection process before being cleared to qualify. 

Kurt Busch hit the wall during his qualifying effort and will start 25th. After qualifying, Busch said on his Twitter account, "Had an issue w/leak from the water line which burst on lap 2 of qualifying. Water sprayed the rt front tire & we slid on it into the wall."

The Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway will be broadcast live Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on FOX. Green flag is scheduled for 3:14 p.m. ET.

Updates: Kurt Busch will go to a backup after hitting the wall during qualifying and will start from the rear of the field. Denny Hamlin will also start from the back due to an engine change.

Starting lineup:
1. Mark Martin
2. Kasey Kahne
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Kyle Busch
5. Jeff Gordon
6. Tony Stewart
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Denny Hamlin
9. Matt Kenseth
10. Ryan Newman
11. Brad Keselowski
12. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
13. Clint Bowyer
14. Martin Truex Jr.
15. Carl Edwards
16. Paul Menard
17. Greg Biffle
18. Aric Almirola
19. Jamie McMurray
20. Jeff Burton
21. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
22. Marcos Ambrose
23. AJ Allmendinger
24. David Ragan
25. Kurt Busch
26. Dave Blaney
27. J.J. Yeley
28. Scott Speed
29. Juan Pablo Montoya
30. Travis Kvapil
31. David Gilliland
32. Joey Logano
33. Bobby Labonte
34. David Reutimann
35. Mike Bliss
36. Josh Wise
37. David Stremme
38. Landon Cassill
39. Scott Riggs
40. Danica Patrick
41. Joe Nemechek
42. Ken Schrader
43. Casey Mears

NSCS Pole Report: Mark Martin wins pole at Phoenix NSCS Pole Report: Mark Martin wins pole at Phoenix Reviewed by Rebecca Kivak on Friday, March 01, 2013 Rating: 5