Harvick Picks Up Pair Of Poles

Kevin Harvick will start up front twice this weekend.

Without turning a single qualifying lap Kevin Harvick captured the pole for two races at Martinsville Speedway Friday afternoon.

Persistent rain showers washed out time trials for both the Kroger 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500. Harvick was awarded the pole for both events by virtue of NASCAR’S points system.

“Obviously this is the place where if you’re going to have that happen (qualifying washed out) and start up front, this is the place you want to do it,” said Harvick, who is atop the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points . “But this is a good place to have that happen and I’m looking forward to both races.”

For the first time this season for either series, lineups were set according to the respective series' rulebooks. So Harvick will lead the 43-car field for the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 to the green flag on Sunday.

After five Cup races, Harvick's No. 29 Richard Childress Racing team has a one-point lead on 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth's No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing squad, which will also start on the front row.

Defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will start third followed by Greg Biffle and Tony Stewart.

 Because 2009 Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday, Kevin Harvick Inc.'s other driver, has a past champion's provisional available to him, his truck's owners' points were transferred to the No. 2 Chevrolet, which this weekend is driven by the team owner. Hornaday will roll off 31st in Saturday's race.

Truck Series runner-up Matt Crafton will line up second in his No. 88 ThorSport Racing Chevrolet.

Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on Sunday and the Kroger 250 on Saturday are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or at the ticket office

Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 begin at just $25.