Logano is youngest Pocono pole-sitter

Date published : 06 Aug 2011 - 17:24:48

Joey Logano became the youngest pole-sitter at Pocono Raceway as Toyota-powered cars dominated qualifying for Sunday's Sprint Cup series race.The 21-year-old set a fastest lap of 52.309s, at an average speed of 172.055mph, bumping Michael Waltrip Racing's Martin Truex from provisional pole. Red Bull Racing's Kasey Kahne came closest to Logano's benchmark, but felt he left some speed on the table after deciding to avoid downshifting to third at Turn 1, as most of the fastest drivers did.Logano's pole is his second of the season and the third of his Sprint Cup career. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is currently 19th in the points and in need of a victory to contend for a potential Chase spot.Kahne's second place mirrors his qualifying from last week at Indianapolis, where from the front row he dominated in the early going. The Red Bull driver, a former Pocono winner, was among the fastest in race-trim during the final practice session on Friday, also setting the fastest overall time in the session.Truex Jr ensured a top three qualifying sweep for Toyota, while points' leader Carl Edwards was fourth as the fastest Ford for Roush Fenway Racing. June Pocono pole-sitter Kurt Busch rounded out the top five, while Logano's Joe Gibbs Racing team-mate Denny Hamlin was sixth after holding on to provisional pole for most of the session.The Richard Childress Racing cars were all top-15, with Brickyard 400 winner Paul Menard being the fastest of them in seventh. Stewart-Haas's Ryan Newman had posted the fastest lap on Friday during practice but ended up only 12th, ahead of Penske's Brad Keselowski.June Pocono winner Jeff Gordon had a good lap going but ended up brushing the SAFER barrier at the exit of Turn 2, ending up only 31st in the order. Despite a threat of rain and overcast skies all though the session, all 46 cars were able to set qualifying times to complete the starting order for Sunday's event. Todd Bodine was the fastest of the non-guaranteed drivers in 30th while his brother Geoffrey, TJ Bell and Mike Skinner failed to make the field. Times to follow.