Photo Gallery: Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Mark Martin claimed the top spot at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday night, making him the second-oldest pole winner in NASCAR Cup history.
The 50-year-old Martin turned a lap of 187.045 mph for Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 500, earning his 42nd career pole but first since May 5, 2001, at Richmond.
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Only Harry Gant, who was 54 when he claimed the pole in August 1994 at Bristol, was older than Martin.
“I feel like a rookie,” Martin said. “I really, really do.”
“I’m still shaking,” he said. “I thought I ran out of talent in turn four. There was no possible way to hold my foot on the floor and not hit the wall, back end first, in turn four. But that was really fun. I live to scare myself like that.”
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- Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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- Bill Elliott, driver of the #21 Motorcraft Ford prepares to drive during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
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- Bootie Barker, crew chief for the #55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota driven by Michael Waltrip, watches activity in the garage prior to practice. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)
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- Dale Earnhardt, Jr., driver of the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, signs autographs after practice. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)
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- Leonard Wood owner of the #21 Motorcraft Ford team talks with NASCAR legend David Pearson in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
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- Marcos Ambrose, driver of the #47 Kingsford/Clorox/Little Debbie Toyota talks with A.J. Allmendinger, driver of the #44 Charter Dodge, in the garage prior. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)
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- Nascar Legend Richard Petty stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images)
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- Mark Martin driver of the #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet climbs from his car after qualifying on the pole. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images)
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- Kyle Busch driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota talks with Jeff Gordon driver of the #24 DuPont/National Guard Youth Challenge Chevrolet during practice. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images)
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- Mark Martin, driver of the #5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet, celebrates winning the pole during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)
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