Truex takes first pole

Top spot comes for 79th Cup race

Earlier this season, Martin Truex Jr. got his first NASCAR Nextel Cup win. Now he has his first pole, too.

The 27-year-old Dale Earnhardt Inc. driver turned a lap of 193.105 mph Friday at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, to grab the top spot for Sunday's Dickies 500.

The pole came in the 79th race of Truex's Cup career, and it came in a Chevrolet that needed major repairs after a crash Sunday at Atlanta.

"I've got to hand it to all the guys on this team," Truex said. "They rebuilt this car from last week. It's my favorite car, and it has been for a good part of the season."

His pole wasn't assured until series leader Jeff Gordon, the second to last of 48 drivers to make an attempt on the 1.5-mile oval, came up just short at 192.424. Gordon was followed by rookie Juan Pablo Montoya at 192.417.

SMITH ACQUIRING TRACK: New Hampshire International Speedway will have a new owner, and the track still has both of its Nextel Cup dates -- for now.

Speedway Motorsports chairman Bruton Smith confirmed Friday that he has agreed to buy the track for $340 million from 80-year-old independent owner Bob Bahre in a deal that should be completed early next year.

Smith was much less direct about how the purchase could affect his long-standing desire to add a second Cup race at Las Vegas, one of the other six tracks Smith already owns.

"We don't plan to make any changes at this time," he said. "... It's going to take us some time to develop all of our plans that concern the speedway there."

Speculation is widespread that Smith will move one of the New Hampshire races, possibly the Chase for the Nextel Cup race, to Las Vegas as early as 2009.

MUSGRAVE WINS FIRST TRUCKS RACE SINCE 2005: Ted Musgrave broke a 66-race NASCAR winless streak, taking the checkered flag under caution at Texas after the two trucks in front of him crashed going into the first turn of what was supposed to be a green-white finish Friday night.

Mike Skinner finished third and regained the series point lead by 57 over Ron Hornaday.

Musgrave's last win was at Gateway in 2005.

EDWARDS STARTING THIRD IN BUSCH RACE: Carl Edwards has a good starting spot for the race that can clinch his NASCAR Busch Series title today.

Edwards had a fast lap of 190.745 mph Friday night to qualify third for the O'Reilly Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway. Edwards has to finish 36th or better to clinch the season title with two races still left after that.

David Reutimann earned his first career pole with a qualifying lap of 191.646 mph.

ALONSO LEAVES MCLAREN TEAM: Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso left McLaren on Friday after a stormy first season with the British team.

Alonso joined McLaren after winning the title the past two years with Renault.

Alonso, who still has a two years left on his contract, reached an agreement that allows him to leave without penalty.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RACING RETURNING TO 'THE ROCK': New North Carolina Speedway owner Andy Hillenburg said Friday that the Automobile Racing Club of America series will hold a race at the Rockingham track on May 4.

Hillenburg, who became the track's owner on Wednesday, also has changed the track's name to Rockingham Speedway.

The 50-car inaugural Carolina 500 will begin at noon and cover 312 laps.

Hillenburg is hoping to add races, including a United Speed Alliance Racing Hooters Pro Cup event, possibly next Nov. 1.

Fans may begin requesting ticket information Nov. 7 by calling (910) 205-8800 or by visiting www.rockinghamracewaypark.com.

SOURCE OF WATERED-DOWN FUEL FOUND: Nextel Cup director John Darby said a NASCAR investigation into problems with water in fuel this past weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway was traced to one of several temporary pumps.

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER