NASCAR

• Kahne conquers Sonoma qualifying

  
  

  Sonoma, CA (Sports Network) - Kasey Kahne captured the pole for Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sprint Cup race at the Infineon Raceway. The No.9 Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge circled the 1.99-mile, 12-turn road course in one minute, 17.740 seconds.

  The pole victory was Kahne's second of the season, first on a road course and 16th of his "Cup" career. He is the hottest driver in NASCAR with three wins in the last five races. Kahne finished second to Dale Earnhardt Jr. last week in Michigan.

  "The guys gave me a great car and we were able to make a smooth lap," said Kahne. "I'm really looking forward to the race." Starting alongside Kahne on the front row will be two-time series champion Jimmie Johnson who posted a time of 1:17.836 seconds.

  Kurt Busch (1:17.865) and Bobby Labonte (1:17.918) will make up row two.

  Other drivers of note and their starting positions: Jeff Gordon (fifth), Robby Gordon (eighth), Carl Edwards (12th), Denny Hamlin (13th), Earnhardt Jr. (15th), Jeff Burton (20th), points leader Kyle Busch (30th), Kevin Harvick (32nd) and Tony Stewart (39th).

  It was just one year ago that Montoya, starting 21st, stunned the NASCAR regulars and "road-course ringers" with his victory at Infineon.

  Jamie McMurray, Harvick and Montoya were first through third with just 20 laps remaining.

  Montoya got around Harvick, but McMurray was putting a gap between himself and the Colombian.

  Montoya closed in on McMurray with 11 laps to go and tried to pass McMurray in turn 11 with nine laps to go, but he couldn't hold on.

  He got ahead, but locked up the tires and McMurray re-took the lead. On the next lap, however, Montoya made the pass in turn two and the lead was his.

  Montoya was low on fuel as were many others, but he wasn't about to stop and he made it to the checkered flag four seconds ahead of Harvick as McMurray ran out of gas.

  Montoya's early success at Infineon and his solid performances elsewhere helped open-wheel drivers to get access into NASCAR. His win certainly sped up the process that brought Dario Franchitti, Sam Hornish Jr., Jacques Villeneuve and Patrick Carpentier to the NASCAR scene.

  So far, results have been mixed, but this week at Sonoma should be fun to watch. Carpentier and Marcos Ambrose along with "ringers" Ron Fellows, Brandon Ash, Brian Simo, Boris Said and "Mad" Max Papis should give the NASCAR regulars a run for their money.

  The green flag is scheduled to drop on Sunday around 5 p.m. (et).

  06/20 21:03:07 ET