NASCAR: Patrick Carpentier grabs his first pole at NEMS

Qualifying was cut in two for the NASCAR Sprint Cup LENOX Industrial Tool 301 race that will be held on Sunday at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway because of a rain shower.

Canadian Patrick Carpentier (Dodge No 10) was within the second group of qualifiers after the track was dried out.

Nonetheless, the driver known as the «Qualifying Man» surprised everyone by posting a 24.349 sec. time for a speed of 129.776 mph and... grab his first ever Sprint Cup pole !

Bobby Labonte (Dodge No 43) posted second fastest time and Scott Riggs (Chevy No 66) whom Carpentier replaced within the Evernham team ran the third fastest time.

Series leader Kyle Busch (Camry No 18) ran the 27th best time while Tony Raines (Chevrolet No 34) and Marcos Ambrose (Ford No 21) were not able to qualify.