Kyle Busch storms to pole at Watkins Glen

Kyle Busch storms to pole at Watkins Glen

 

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

 

(August 13, 2011)

 

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.—Kyle Busch showed the road course aces at Watkins Glen International that he has developed mastery of the road courses, too.

 

With a lap at 126.421 mph, Busch, the last driver to make a qualifying attempt in Saturday’s time trials, knocked AJ Allmendinger off the pole for Sunday’s Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen, in a session that saw 15 drivers beat Jeff Gordon’s 2003 track record.

 

Allmendinger will start second after a lap at 126.041 mph, followed by Richard Petty Motorsports teammate Marcos Ambrose (125.984 mph). Jimmie Johnson (125.663 mph) claimed the fourth starting position, and Juan Pablo Montoya (125.654 mph), last year’s race winner, will start fifth in the 22nd Sprint Cup race of the season.

 

Busch earned the eighth Coors Light pole award of his career and his first of the season.

 

Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, series points leader Carl Edwards, Martin Truex Jr. and Regan Smith will start from positions six through 10, respectively.