LOUDON, N.H. (AP) - The 10-race NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase for the
championship starts Sunday in Loudon, N.H., and Chase drivers
snagged the first five spots in qualifying for the Sylvania 300.
Colombian sensation Juan Pablo Montoya will have the best
starting spot after setting the track record while winning the pole
at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Montoya turned a lap at 133.431 miles per hour to take the top
qualifying spot. Montoya broke the record of 133.357 set by Ryan
Newman in 2003.
The former Formula One driver qualified for the 12-driver Chase
field for the first time this season.
Tony Stewart qualified second and was followed by Kurt Busch,
Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards round out the top five spots.
Mark Martin starts the 12-driver Chase as the points leader, 10
points in front of Stewart and defending champion Jimmie Johnson.