Rain Puts Gordon on Pole at Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Jeff Gordon will start from the pole position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway after steady rain washed out qualifying.

Gordon, who also earned the prime pit stall on Friday because he is the points leader, will be seeking his third victory from the top starting spot on Martinsville’s tricky 0.526-mile oval on Sunday.

Gordon has won seven times at Martinsville overall, tops among active drivers, and will be starting first for the eighth time in his career at the track. The four-time series championship will also be trying to end a 46-race winless streak dating to 2007.

Kurt Busch will start second, followed by Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards.