Truex wins Talladega pole amid issue with a bolt
TALLADEGA, Ala. — Martin Truex Jr. showed up at Talladega Superspeedway determined to be at the front of the field and in control of his chances in NASCAR’s playoffs. A pole-winning run Saturday put him at the top of the field for the critical elimination race. Truex turned a lap of 193.423 mph to earn the top starting spot for today’s race. The run came after NASCAR confiscated a bolt from his Toyota, but Truex said he was not worried about ramifications to his Furniture Row Racing team. “The jack bolt issue is really not a big issue,” Truex said. “It was a parts manufacturing issue, no big deal at all.” Winner of two races in the first round of the Chase, Truex is winless in Round 2 but above the cutoff point. Four drivers will be cut from the field today. “All we have to do is make it through to the next one,” he said. “We’ve got some good tracks coming up for us, and (today) is going to be a tough race. … I feel good about my car and it’s got a lot of speed in it, obviously.” The inspection issue provided a little early drama, as there was some speculation the team could face a penalty. NASCAR typically issues penalties in the middle of the week, and a point deduction could in theory knock Truex out of the Chase. However, Scott Miller, NASCAR vice president of competition, said a points penalty is unlikely, and that Truex had no competitive advantage. The bolt taken could have been considered a safety issue, though. Brad Keselowski, in nearly a must-win situation today, qualified second. Matt Kenseth qualified third and was followed by Chase Elliott, who is also in a must-win situation today. Greg Biffle and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. were fifth and sixth. FORMULA ONE: At Austin, Texas, defending Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton earned the pole position Saturday for today’s U.S. Grand Prix, where he’s hoping a late-season charge will help catch Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg in the title chase. TRUCK SERIES: At Talladega, Ala., Grant Enfinger grabbed his first career NASCAR victory — at his home track, no less — by holding off the pack to win the Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.