Paul Menard has visited Victory Lane at Talladega before. Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Menard rules Talladega for second Busch Pole

Chevrolets take nine of top 10 starting spots for Aaron's 312

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Paul Menard claimed the pole for Saturday's Busch Series Aaron's 312 as Chevrolet dominated the top 10 during qualifying Thursday at Talladega Superspeedway.

Menard, who picked up his second career Busch pole, and Joe Nemechek -- also driving a Chevy -- were separated by only .107 seconds and will start on the front row. The rest of the top five consists of rookie Denny Hamlin, defending series champion Martin Truex Jr. and Clint Boyer -- all driving Chevrolets.

Lineup Aaron's 312 Pos. Driver Make 1. Paul Menard Chevrolet 2. Joe Nemechek Chevrolet 3. Denny Hamlin Chevrolet 4. Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet 5. Clint Bowyer Chevrolet • Complete lineup, click here Front of the packPaul Menard secures the Busch Pole for Aaron's 312 Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

Hamlin earned his third consecutive top-10 starting position and fourth in five races. His third-place qualifying effort is a career best in 11 races.

Nextel Cup Series regular Kasey Kahne qualified ninth in a Dodge, the only other manufacturer in the top 10. However, Dodges qualified at Nos. 11-14; the highest starting position for a Ford is 17th, by Busch Series points leader Carl Edwards.

"This is the same car we raced down at Daytona, but with a better motor and some improvements to the bodywork. It's got great power and a great body. That's a testament to the DEI heritage at these restrictor-plate events," said Menard, whose only previous pole came at Kansas last season.

At Daytona, he led 37 of the first 51 laps before finishing 17th.

"We were fast right off the truck [Thursday] morning. We had a nice, long drafting run in the middle of the session that makes us feel really good about Saturday. The key will be hooking up with some friends [drafting partners], something we just couldn't seem to do with any regularity at Daytona. That'll make all the difference in the world.

"I think we'll try and work at the start with Martin [Truex Jr.] and maybe Shane [Hmiel], and see if anybody else jumps on board. The key is to stay at the front all day long, keep our nose clean, and be there at the end.

"[Thursday] was just tremendous. We'll get to enjoy it for a day and come back focused and ready to go on Saturday."

Edwards leads fellow rookie Reed Sorenson -- who will start 20th -- by 156 points entering the 10th race of the season. Edwards said that despite qualifying in the middle of the pack he's ready to race.

"Ford has been working really hard on this new restrictor-plate package and it's working pretty well. I feel like the car is going to draft really well. It's just fun to come out here and run wide open. ... Coming to Talladega is a blast, I can't wait to race."

Edwards' only start at Talladega came in October during the Cup Series' race. An engine failure relegated him to 42nd after 122 laps, but he said he has a good feel for the track.

"To have a bunch of passing you have to have a bunch of people that are willing to try to pass, and it feels like once you get to the Cup level, those guys are so good and so experienced that if one guy tries something they'll just hang him out and they're satisfied to pick up one spot.

"The Busch Series is different from the Cup car and different than the truck. I feel that it's right in between and I feel it's a good mix."

There are 12 Cup Series regular in the starting lineup, ranging from Nemechek in second to Greg Biffle in 33rd.

Four drivers failed to make the field: Greg Sacks, Ryan Hemphill, Geoffrey Bodine and Donnie Neuenberger.

Nextel Cup qualifying is at 4 p.m. ET Friday for Sunday's Aaron's 499.