Martin Grabs Pole From Mate

Mark Martin knocked teammate Jeff Burton off the pole in the opening round of qualifying for the TranSouth Financial 400 stock car race at Darlington Raceway.

Burton set the target with a lap of 168.284 mph on the treacherous egg-shaped oval, but Martin pushed his friend to the outside of the front row with a speed of 168.665.

It was the first pole of the season and 36th of his career for Martin.

Spokane’s Chad Little, who timed at 164.782, failed to qualify but gets another chance today.