Kyle Busch takes pole at Pocono

LONG POND - Kyle Busch turned a lap at 169.485 mph yesterday to win the pole for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race tomorrow at Pocono Raceway.

The winner of two of the last four races, Busch earned his second pole of the season. He won at Richmond last month after starting from the pole.

Clint Bowyer qualified second, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was third. Jeff Burton, who had a run-in with Busch Sunday at Charlotte, qualified 13th.

Busch finished third last week to help strengthen his hold on second place in the points standings, 29 behind leader Kevin Harvick.

In related news, Jimmie Johnson says he will split time this weekend between the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International today and the Sprint Cup race tomorrow at Pocono.

"It's going to be a bit of a challenge timewise, but I'm very excited to have this opportunity, so hopefully it all works out," said Johnson, who will drive the No. 99 with Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty for Gainsco/Bob Stallings Racing. "The big thing is the timing of it. There's a good chance I'll only have 10 minutes of practice in that thing before I get in it and have to race it."

Johnson added: "I'm very excited that we were able to make this happen. I think most people know how much I want to win on a road course and also in a Grand-Am car. It would be pretty cool if we could pull it off."

Despite capturing a record four straight Sprint Cup championships, Johnson has yet to win a Cup race on a road course in 16 tries.

"I think that it bothers him," said Jeff Gordon, Johnson's teammate at Hendrick Motorsports and winner of a NASCAR-record nine road races. "I think he's really worked hard at it over the years, and it's that one [thing] that's eluded him." *