Leffler takes seventh truck pole of 2002

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LOUDON, N.H. -- Jason Leffler proved again why he could become the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series' most prodigious Bud Pole winner by taking the top starting spot -- and his seventh pole of the season in 12 attempts -- for Saturday's New England 200 at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Leffler, the 30th of 34 drivers that attempted to qualify, won his third straight pole and turned a track record lap in 29.658 seconds, an average speed of 128.424 mph in the No. 2 Team ASE Dodge. He bettered the lap set down by Terry Cook in the No. 29 Power Stroke Ford by .131 seconds.

"The truck is obviously fast," Leffler said. "The 29 was really quick, and he didn't back up his (practice) time. I think the track slowed down quite a bit.

"I just took it easy and luckily repeated the same lap I ran in practice and it was good enough for the pole."

Cook had been the fastest in morning practice, with a 29.495-second lap that was also better than Joe Ruttman's previous track record of 29.783 seconds, 127.885 mph set in 2000. Cook's speed fell off and he qualified at 127.859 mph.

"We rolled off quick and thought we had a good shot at the pole," Cook said. "That's all she had in her. New Hampshire is kind of like Milwaukee in that the harder you drive the slower you go."

Cook won the pole and the race at The Milwaukee Mile last month.

Winston Cup driver Kevin Harvick in his own No. 6 Chevrolet (127.739 mph), Brendan Gaughan in the No. 62 NAPA Chevrolet (126.905) and the winner of the last two truck races, Mike Bliss in the No. 16 IWX Chevrolet (126.740) rounded out the top-five qualifiers.

"These guys are qualifying and racing every week and we only come every once in a while so if we can stay that close, we're doing a good job," Harvick said. "It should be a lot of fun to race."

Series leader and Leffler's teammate Ted Musgrave qualified poorly for the second race in a row. He will line up 12th in the No. 1 Mopar Dodge.

Leffler, who has qualified no worse than seventh this season, is chasing all-time NCTS season pole champion Mike Skinner, who won 10 poles in the series' first season, 1985.

Leffler now also has sole possession of the NCTS mark for most poles in a season without a victory. He shared that with Stacy Compton, who won six poles without a victory in 1999.

"We have good trucks and we run in the top five," Leffler said. "I don't know what else to do to win. We have great pit stops and we just have to keep doing what we're doing."

For the second time this season, the truck field fell below the 36-truck limit.

Australian entertainer Olivia Newton-John's nephew, experienced road racer Emerson Newton-John, 27, took a provisional starting position to make his Truck Series debut in 33rd spot. Bob Coffey Jr. also took a provisional to line up 34th.