Keselowski leads fast day at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and wins 1st pole of season

July 13, 2013 at 6:12AM

LOUDON, N.H. — Brad Keselowski turned a lap of 135.922 mph to set a track record and win the pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Keselowski led a fast Friday on the track, as 10 drivers topped the previous track record, held by Ryan Newman. Newman went 135.232 in 2011.

Jimmie Johnson joins Keselowski on the front row for Sunday's race. Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kyle Busch round out the top five.

Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, and Jeff Burton all topped Newman's record and completed the top 10.

Keselowski, the 2012 series champion, has yet to win a race this season and needs a big weekend in a hurry if he wants to defend his title in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

Brad Keselowski watches cars during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., Friday, July 12, 2013. Keselowski won the pole.
Brad Keselowski watches cars during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup auto race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., Friday, July 12, 2013. Keselowski won the pole. (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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about the writer

DAN GELSTON, AP Sports Writer