Stewart wins pole for Cup race in Charlotte

Stewart wins pole for Cup race in Charlotte

By Reid Spencer
Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

(October 13, 2011)

CONCORD, N.C.—Tony Stewart won the pole for Saturday night's Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but the driver of the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Chevrolet had some anxious moments as he watched 10 drivers try—and fail—to beat his top speed of 191.959 mph.

The 36th driver to make a qualifying attempt during Thursday night's time trials, Stewart watched as 10 drivers, all of whom had posted faster times during Thursday's practice, failed to knock him off the pole.

The Coors Light Pole Award was Stewart's first of the season, the 13th of his career and his first since July 2010 at Pocono.

Matt Kenseth (191.918 mph) will start beside Stewart on the front row in the fourth Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race. Carl Edwards (191.870 mph) qualified third, followed by AJ Allmendinger (191.768 mph) and Greg Biffle (191.741 mph), as Ford drivers claimed the next four starting spots behind Stewart.

Ryan Newman, Stewart's teammate, Paul Menard, Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson and Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne will start from positions six through 10, respectively.

Josh Wise, Scott Speed and Geoffrey Bodine failed to qualify for the 43-car field.