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Kurt Busch Speeds to Pocono Pole
Written by Zach Lentz   
Saturday, 11 June 2011 20:49

kurt-busch-2011-pocono

One day after wrecking his primary car in practice Kurt Busch ran a pole-winning lap of 171.579 mph in a backup No. 22 Penske Dodge during qualifying for Sunday's 5-Hour Energy 500 at Pocono Raceway.

 

"An amazing swing of events," said Busch, who credited crew chief Steve Addington and his Penske Racing team.

 

"The work they did to get this car ready was awesome. To lay down a lap like that is pretty impressive," said Addington.

 

Paul Menard grabbed the outside front row starting spot after posting a lap at 171.422 mph, his best qualifying effort of 2011.

 

Jeff Gordon qualified third followed by Denny Hamlin and Regan Smith.

 

Carl Edwards, Marcos Ambrose, Ryan Newman, David Reutimann and Mark Martin will line up sixth through tenth on Sunday's starting grid.

 

Mike Skinner wrecked his No. 60 on his qualifying lap and was the only driver who did not make the field.

 

The 5-Hour Energy 500 gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday with live coverage from Pocono Raceway beginning at noon on TNT.

 

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