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Martin Makes It 2 Poles In A Row

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The Associated Press

Published: March 21, 2009

BRISTOL, Tenn. - A week away from the racetrack gave Mark Martin the break he needed from his disastrous start to the season. It certainly didn't slow him down.

Martin won his second straight pole Friday with a lap of 125.773 mph around Bristol Motor Speedway, giving him the top starting spot in consecutive races for the first time in 20 years.

Two weeks ago in Atlanta, the 50-year-old Martin became the second-oldest driver in NASCAR history to win the pole. That pole had been Martin's first since May 5, 2001, at Richmond.

"It's the No. 5 car," Martin said in giving all the credit to his Hendrick Motorsports crew. "We have learned so much through each individual event that man, I feel good. We unloaded here rolling."
Ryan Newman was second fastest in practice, and posted a lap at 125.740 to just miss knocking Martin from the pole.
Jimmie Johnson was third (125.453), followed by Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne, Zephyrhills' David Reutimann, Reed Sorenson, Dave Blaney, Jamie McMurray and Jeff Gordon.

The Associated Press

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