Nascar – Johnson takes pole and record at Martinsville

Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports) took pole on the Martinsville oval where he had already won last year starting from the same position on the starting grid. The five-time Sprint Cup Series champion also claimed the lap record previously held by Tony Stewart in 2005 with a time of 19. “From my first outing, I was on qualifying pace. I just had to do my job and not screw it up.", comments the pilot of SS n°48. “I am very proud of this result. It's easy to make a mistake on this track, especially after practice. We stop, we take a break and then we have to start again a few hours later. »

Marcos Ambrose (Richard Petty Motorsports) was the closest, failing by just 7 thousandths. Brian Vickers (Michael Waltrip Racing) took 3rd place ahead of Joey Logano (Penske Racing) while Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon (Hendrick Motorsports) achieved the same time, 42 thousandths behind the pole. The top 6 drivers broke Smoke's old record, proving the Gen 6's potential on this oval. Brad Keselowski (Penske Racing) took 7th position ahead of Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards (Roush Fenway Racing) while Ryan Newman (Stewart-Haas Racing) completed the top ten.

Sprint Cup leader Dale Earnhardt Jr (Hendrick Motorsports) took 17th place on the grid. Danica Patrick (Stewart-Haas Racing) will have to settle for 32nd position. Mark Martin (Joe Gibbs Racing), Denny Hamlin's replacement for this weekend, will only start from 35th place.

The Martinsville STP Gas Booster 500 will be followed live tomorrow from 19 p.m. on AB Matériaux.