BROOKLYN, Mich. — Another race, another pole for Kurt Busch. This is a drill he’s happy to get used to.
“To be on the pole three weeks, what it does — there are so many benefits behind the scenes,” Busch said. “Picking your pit selection first, having track position right away in the race. . . . You could have a slow pit crew, and you have that first pit box, that’s going to help you get out in front of guys throughout the day.”
Busch won his third consecutive pole in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series, finishing first in qualifying Saturday at Michigan International Speedway with a lap of 188.699 mph.
He’s the first driver to win three straight poles since Brian Vickers in 2009, and two qualifying sessions were canceled during that streak. The last person to win three poles in three races was Ryan Newman in 2007.
Busch is sixth in the points standings and has finished in the top 10 three straight races.
There’s been less drama this time around as he prepares for today’s 400-mile race. “This was a conventional weekend, so to speak,” he said.
Busch was the polesitter in Michigan last June as well, and he finished third.
David Reutimann (188.684 mph) was second in qualifying, and Matt Kenseth (188.620) was third. Regan Smith of Denver-based Furniture Row Racing qualified fifth.
• Carl Edwards raced to his fourth NASCAR Nationwide victory of the year, passing teammate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. with less than 10 laps remaining at Michigan International Speedway.
Edwards, the Sprint Cup points leader, had finished second in three straight Nationwide races since winning at Dover, Del., in May, but he was able to slip underneath Stenhouse and then cut in front of him before holding on to win by 1.669 seconds in the No. 60 Ford.
Edwards and Stenhouse gave Roush Fenway Racing a 1-2 finish. Kyle Busch finished third.
Franchitti wins pole
WEST ALLIS, Wis. — Dario Franchitti won the pole position for the IndyCar race today at the Milwaukee Mile with an average speed of 170.841 mph.
Helio Castroneves qualified second, followed by Scott Dixon.
It was a rough afternoon for Simona De Silvestro, who was taken to a hospital after she crashed during her qualifying run. A series official said she was awake and alert.
Tasca leads funny car
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Bob Tasca raced to the No. 1 funny car qualifying position in the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, breaking both Bristol Dragway records with a 4.056-second run at 314.31 mph.
Brandon Bernstein (top fuel) and Allen Johnson (pro stock) also led their divisions.
Bernstein had a track-record time of 3.828 at 316.52, and Johnson, from nearby Greeneville, Tenn., had a pass at 6.668 at 206.89 in his Dodge Avenger.
Today’s races
NASCAR: Sprint Cup Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 Site: Brooklyn, Mich.
TV: 10 a.m., TNT
Track: Michigan International Speedway (oval, 2.0 miles)
Race distance: 400 miles, 200 laps
Next race: Toyota/Save Mart 350, June 26, Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, Calif.
Online:
INDYCAR The Milwaukee 225
Site: West Allis, Wis.
TV: Noon, KMGH-7
Track: The Milwaukee Mile (oval, 1.0 miles)
Race distance: 225 miles, 225 laps
Next race: Iowa Corn Indy 250, June 25, Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa
Online:
NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Site: Bristol, Tenn.
TV: 2:30 p.m. (taped), ESPN2
Track: Bristol Dragway
Next event: Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Thursday-June 26, Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio
Online:
