Gordon Speeds To Record

Californian Robby Gordon smashed the Atlanta Motor Speedway qualifying record in the opening round of time trials for the Primestar 500 in Hampton, Ga., earning his first Winston Cup pole.

Gordon was in his car waiting to go when veteran Mark Martin broke the record of 185.887 mph set last November by Bobby Labonte on the 1.522-mile oval with a lap of 185.918.

Making his 12th Winston Cup start, Gordon then wheeled his Chevrolet Monte Carlo, fielded as part of a three-car team by Felix Sabates, to a lap of 186.507.

Spokane’s Chad Little failed to qualify but has another chance today.

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, expected to challenge for the Formula One title, won the pole position for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

He sped around the 3.294-mile Albert Park track in his Williams-Renault at 132.714 mph to take the inside of the front row for the race Sunday. His elapsed time for the winning run was 1 minute, 29.369 seconds.

It was Villeneuve’s fourth pole in 17 tries since his switch from Indy-car racing. He won four races last season - his rookie year - when he finished second in the series to former teammate Damon Hill.

Villeneuve, 25, produced his fast lap on only his sixth circuit of the track, and no one was able to come close to him.