Mark Martin is often called a pessimist. But not even a tire problem could dampen his mood at the Brickyard, Lee Spencer says.
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Two-time defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson won the pole for Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, giving him the top starting spot in a race that has consistently vexed him.
Johnson ran a lap at 181.763 mph in his Chevrolet to beat Mark Martin, who guaranteed in June that he’d win Sunday’s race. Martin’s lap was 181.393 in a Chevy.
Ryan Newman qualified third and was followed by Kasey Kahne and four-time Brickyard winner Jeff Gordon.