Stewart wins pole for Subway 500

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Tony Stewart was the fastest among 11 drivers who broke the track qualifying record for Martinsville Speedway, turning a lap at 98.083 mph under an overcast sky Friday to win the pole position for Sunday's Subway 500.

Stewart's lap easily eclipsed the mark of 97.043 mph set by Ryan Newman in this race a year ago, and eased Virginia native Ricky Rudd to the outside of the first row.

Rudd, making what could be his final start at Martinsville, circled the .526-mile track at 97.992 mph.

The pole is the 10th of Stewart's career and third this season. He'll start the race in a tie with Jimmie Johnson atop the standings in the Chase for the Championship with five races remaining. Johnson will start sixth after a lap at 97.548 mph.

Rusty Wallace, seventh in the points standings, will start third in search of his eighth career victory here. He leads active drivers at Martinsville.