Truex, Kurt Busch to start 1, 2 Sunday

AVONDALE, Ariz. – (AP) Martin Truex Jr. won the pole Friday for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway.

Truex turned a lap at 135.120 mph to qualify first for Sunday’s Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 in his No. 1 Chevrolet.

His lap bested Kurt Busch, who qualified second at 134.579 mph in the No. 2 Dodge.

It will be the first time in NASCAR history that car Nos. 1 and 2 started next to each other on the front row for a Sprint Cup race.

Defending three-time series champion Jimmie Johnson qualified third and was followed by Kasey Kahne and Denny Hamlin.

Mark Martin, who trails Johnson by 73 points in the standings with two races remaining, qualified 10th.