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Jimmie Johnson, a 7-time winner at Martinsville Speedway, wins pole position for Sunday's race

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Jimmie Johnson talks to team members after winning the pole for Sunday's NASCRA Sprint Cup auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Friday, April 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) (The Associated Press)

Driver Jimmie Johnson climbs out of his car during qualifying for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., Friday, April 5, 2013. Johnson won the pole for the race. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) (The Associated Press)

Jimmie Johnson has won the pole position for Sunday's NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway with a track record.

Johnson made his fastest lap around the 0.526-mile oval at 98.400 mph Friday. He broke the track record of 98.083 mph held by Tony Stewart. It is the 30th pole position of Johnson's career, and his third in 23 starts at Martinsville.

Five other drivers also eclipsed Stewart's mark on a cooling, later afternoon surface, led by Marcos Ambrose at 98.364.

He was followed by Brian Vickers, Joey Logano, Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon.

Stewart, whose team has struggled through the first five races of the season, qualified 26th.