Bristol pole is Newman's second of season

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Ryan Newman won his second pole of the season and earned Jeff Gordon's admiration.

Newman set a track record Friday by completing a lap around Bristol Motor Speedway at 128.709 mph, eclipsing the mark of 127.216 mph Gordon set a year ago.

It took Newman just 14.908 seconds to lap the 0.533-mile bullring, making him the first driver to do it in less than 15 seconds.

In addition to losing his record, Gordon had to settle for second in qualifying for Sunday's Food City 500, turning a lap at 127.343 in his No. 24 Chevrolet.

As the two passed each other after, four-time Winston Cup champion Gordon bowed as if to say, "I'm not worthy."

Newman's reply: "Man, I never thought I'd run a lap that fast."

Qualifying is quickly turning out to be Newman's specialty. Last season's top rookie now has nine career poles in 45 attempts, and two in just six races this season.

Still, Newman never thought his Dodge would be so fast.

"I was so surprised with that lap," he said. "I knew we had a fast car in practice, but I didn't think we were capable of going that fast, let alone beat Jeff. That's the most amazed I've ever been after a qualifying run -- to go that fast and not anticipate it."

Gordon was also impressed, and he knows a thing or two about Bristol, having won there five times.

"My God that's an unbelievable lap that Ryan put out there," he said. "Those guys have to be real proud of that."

Ken Schrader qualified third in a Dodge, the best-ever qualifying effort for BAM Racing, which fields his No. 49 Intrepid. The team's previous best effort was 16th at Texas last season with Shawna Robinson behind the wheel.

Schrader gave new crew chief Scott Eggleston and owners Beth Ann and Tony Morgenthau credit for the improvement.