Mark Martin Becomes 2nd-Oldest Driver To Win Cup Pole

I love to see older guys do well. Especially Mark Martin, as I saw and met him at Townsquare Mall not too long after I arrived in Owensboro. He was making a personal appearance, had pictures taken with him and signed a lot of autographs. He was going to retire but changed his mind.  Martin, 54, became the second-oldest driver to secure a Sprint Cup pole when he finished with the best speed during Friday's qualifying for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway scheduled for tomorrow and will be heard on WBKR and wbkr.com.

Martin's speed of 138.074 mph landed him his 56th career pole. At age 54 and one month, Martin was just shy of Harry Gant, who was 54 years and seven months when he won the pole at Bristol in 1994.

Kasey Kahne, Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch followed Martin in the starting order for Sunday's race. Daytona 500 pole-sitter Danica Patrick qualified in 40th.