Martin tops in qualifying at Michigan

Brooklyn, MI (Sports Network) - The older Mark Martin gets, the faster he seems to be on the racetrack.

Martin, 53, claimed his fourth Sprint Cup Series pole of the season by winning Friday's qualifying for the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway. His first of two qualifying laps around this two-mile track was clocked at 199.706 mph. It was the first time Martin has won the pole in 54 attempts at Michigan.

Martin is running a limited Sprint Cup schedule for Michael Waltrip Racing this year. This will be his 15th start of the season.

"I have to drive these things fast, because I'm trying to keep a job here," Martin jokingly said. "I didn't wreck on the first lap, so I tried to go a little harder on the second lap. There was no way. I wobbled it into (turn) one, and there was no way I was going to beat it after that.

"I'm designed and geared for one lap qualifying. I know I can never make it another lap that crazy, no matter what."

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