Kahne secures pole at Sonoma

Kasey Kahne continued his recent hot streak Friday by winning the pole at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., for his best career starting position on a road course.

Kahne was the third driver to make his qualifying attempt and his lap around the twisting track at 92.153 mph was good enough to hold the top spot for the entire session. It was his second pole of the season, and second in three weeks.

It’s Kahne’s best start at a road course, bettering the second-place qualifying effort he made at Watkins Glen in 2006. His highest start in Sonoma was sixth that same season.

“To get the pole is always very difficult, especially at these tracks,” Kahne said. “There’s certain guys that seem like they are right there. We’ve been close here in the past, we’ve been close at Watkins Glen. So I felt I could make that one lap and come close to the pole and today we had a great Dodge and we were able to get it.

“I came in today thinking I had a good shot, but winning a pole at Infineon is tougher than it sounds.”

Jimmie Johnson qualified second with a lap at 92.040 and Kurt Busch was third with a lap at 92.005.

Bobby Labonte qualified fourth and was followed by five-time Infineon winner Jeff Gordon, Elliott Sadler and Marcos Ambrose. Robby Gordon, Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle rounded out the top 10.

Craftsman Trucks

After weathering a brief delay for lightning, Johnny Benson bolted away to win the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wis.

It was the third straight truck series victory at the track for Benson, who held onto his lead in the series points standings.

Rick Crawford was leading the race when officials issued a caution flag for drizzling rain. All the leaders decided to pit, and Benson came out first. The race then was red-flagged and the grandstands were evacuated because of lightning in the area on lap 150.

After a delay of just more than 25 minutes the race resumed with 46 laps to go. Benson was never challenged.