Nascar

Johnson wins 1st pole of the season at New Hampshire

Associated Press
Published | Updated

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson watches the clock runout during qualifying at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for Sunday's New Hampshire 301 auto race Friday, July 15, 2016, in Loudon, N.H. Johnson won the pole position for the race. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) (The Associated Press)

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson stands by his race car as he prepares to qualify at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for Sunday's New Hampshire 301 auto race Friday, July 15, 2016, in Loudon, N.H. Johnson won the pole position for Sunday's race. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) (The Associated Press)

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson celebrates with his crew after winning the pole position at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for Sunday's New Hampshire 301 auto race Friday, July 15, 2016, in Loudon, N.H. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) (The Associated Press)

Jimmie Johnson turned a lap of 133.971 mph and won his first pole of the season Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Johnson could use a boost after a five-race slump where he hasn't finished better than 13th. He has crashed out of his last two races, finishing 35th at Daytona International Speedway and 32nd last weekend at Kentucky Speedway.

He was the lone Hendrick Motorsports driver in the top five.

Kyle Busch was second, followed by Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin.