Hamlin grabs pole spot for Pocono 500

LONG POND, Pa. -- Denny Hamlin had never seen Pocono Raceway until he arrived at the triangle track Friday morning.

The rookie proved to be a fast learner, turning a lap of 169.638 mph only hours later to take the pole for Sunday's Pocono 500. It was the first pole of the season for the No. 11 Ford.

Much like Carl Edwards prepared before his win in this race last year, Hamlin played videogames to learn some of the intricacies of the 2 1/2-mile triangle track.

"I got on that all week," Hamlin said. "I got a little bit of experience that way. You just can't beat on-track experience."

Nevermind top NASCAR rookie honors. Hamlin seems poised to enter the Chase thanks to a string of solid races that include five top-10 finishes.

Kurt Busch joins Hamlin on the front row after a lap of 169.485. Kasey Kahne starts third and Brian Vickers is fourth. Jeff Burton rounds out the top five.

Nextel Cup points leader Jimmie Johnson is 10th.

Hamlin sits 11th in the points standings, 519 points behind Johnson and 80 behind Busch for 10th place.