Gordon Sweeps Martinsville Poles

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Oct. 17, 2003) – Jeff Gordon earned the 46th pole position of his career on Friday, posting the quickest lap during qualifying at Martinsville Speedway. Driving the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet, the four-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion drove to a 93.650-mph lap, besting second-place Ward Burton and third-place Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gordon won from the pole at Martinsville in April for his first victory of 2003 and now has nine front-row starts this season, including four poles. Joe Nemechek was 22nd in the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevy, followed by Jimmie Johnson, who will start 26th in the No. 48 Lowe’s Monte Carlo. Two-time Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte qualified 31st in the No. 5 Kellogg’s / got milk? Chevy.