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SPORTS

Martin claims third pole of season

Saturday, April 18, 2009
(Updated 5:46 am)

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Mark Martin has won his third pole of the season, qualifying first Friday night at Phoenix International Raceway.

Martin ran a lap at 133.814 mph in his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to beat Kyle Busch and Kurt Busch for the top starting spot tonight. Before this season, Martin had not won a pole since 2001.

Kyle Busch qualified second with a lap at 133.725 in a Toyota, and older brother Kurt was third in a Dodge with a lap at 133.700.

Jeff Gordon qualified fourth in a Chevrolet and was followed by Brian Vickers in a Toyota.

The top 10 was rounded out by Tony Stewart, Paul Menard, David Reutimann, Regan Smith and Jimmie Johnson.

Six drivers failed to make the race, including Todd Bodine and Jeremy Mayfield.

BIFFLE WINS: Greg Biffle held off Jason Leffler over several late restarts and a final two-lap sprint to win Friday night's Nationwide Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.

Leffler was second, followed by Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick.

David Ragan was sixth and followed by Brendan Gaughan, Justin Allgaier, Mike Bliss and Kyle Busch.

ALLMENDINGER SIGNS: AJ Allmendinger has signed a contract to drive for Richard Petty Motorsports through 2010, a deal that ends the constant uncertainty he's had this season.

RPM officials did not say what car number Allmendinger will drive next year or if the team has sponsorship. He's been racing this year in RPM's No. 44 Dodge by piecing together funding from several different companies.

Also, Kasey Kahne says he is not planning to leave RPM at the end of the season. Kahne says his contract is through the 2010 season and he intends to fulfill it.

SHAKE-UP IN THE PITS: Carl Edwards has shaken up his pit crew following its costly performance two weeks ago.

Edwards' is at Phoenix with new rear-tire changer Brandon Hopkins. Chad Edwards moves to front tire changer from the rear.

Roush-Fenway Racing made changes to Edwards' crew after a botched front-tire change cost the driver a shot at winning at Texas Motor Speedway.

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