Mar 07 2009
Mark Martin takes first pole in 9 years
Mark Martin said he felt like a rookie after winning the pole yesterday for the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
It was Martin’s first pole in 9 years and the 42nd of his career, his last was in Richmond back in May of 2001. He was the only driver to top the 197 mph mark at 187.045, Kurt Busch got the outside front row starting spot with a speed of 186.365.
Martin got a much needed boost of confidence with winning the pole after blowing engines in his last two races and as a result he’s stuck back in the standings.
Jamie McMurray got the third spot followed by Juan Pablo Montoya and Greg Biffle in fifth place.
Rounding out the top ten was Denny Hamlin in sixth, followed by Jimmie Johnson, Joe Nemechek, Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick in tenth.
Nemechek was a surprise as the eight place starter, with his used car he bought from the Red Bull team and only 5 full time guys working on the car. Obviously he was the top car of the go or go homers.
Those who failed to qualify were brothers Todd and Geoff Bodine and Scott Riggs and Jeremy Mayfield. Mayfield has missed the last two races after making the Daytona 500 on a shoe string budget.
Martin actually looks like he has a good car this week, that is if the engine don’t blow. I wonder if still has what it takes to win the pole and then the race. It’s well over due.