Stewart fastest, but rain washes out qualifying

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Tony Stewart showed why he's the best road-course racer in NASCAR, and was on his way to winning two poles in qualifying before rain ruined his chance Saturday at Watkins Glen International.

First, Stewart set a record to take the top spot for the Busch series race later in the day. Then he made a less-than-spectacular lap but easily held the provisional pole for Sunday's Nextel Cup event.

But rain -- and the looming Busch race -- prevented NASCAR from finishing the Cup session with 10 drivers remaining in line. It cost Stewart the official pole, but as the points leader he'll start first in the Sirius Satellite Radio at the Glen.

"I didn't think I ran that well, really," Stewart said. "I got loose in the carousel twice and then got loose in the second-to-last corner before we got on the frontstretch."

Still, he was nearly 1 mph faster than Robby Gordon, who lost his lap because of the rain and must start 39th.

Stewart's Chevrolet toured the 11-turn layout at 123.143 mph.

After former Glen winner Robby Gordon came four-time series and track champion Jeff Gordon. Stewart and the Gordons have combined to win 14 of the last 16 races here and on the road course in Sonoma, Calif.

Today, Stewart will try to win here for the second year in a row and collect his fifth victory in the last seven races.