Joey Logano wins pole for Sunday’s STP 500

Second wasn’t good enough for Joey Logano.

When rain threatened to wipe out Friday’s practice and qualifying at Martinsville Speedway, Logano’s crew chief, Todd Gordon, reminded his driver he would start second based on the series standings if that happened.

Logano’s response: “I don’t want second, I want first.”

He got it.

NASCAR squeezed in three rounds of knockout qualifying just before darkness and Logano’s average lap speed of 98.461 mph in Round 3 was good enough to take the pole for Sunday’s STP 500.

Ryan Newman was second, Martin Truex Jr. was third, Jeff Gordon fourth and Jimmie Johnson fifth.

The pole is Logano’s second of the season, 10th of his career and first at Martinsville.

Chase Elliott, who will take over Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet next season, will start 27th in his first Sprint Cup Series start.

Drivers’ personal rides will be on display

The April 9-12 AutoFair at Charlotte Motor Speedway will feature personal vehicles of several NASCAR drivers.

Among the drivers who will display their vehicles: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Gordon, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Logano, David Ragan and Ben Kennedy.

Logano is excited to have his Rat Rod, a modified 1939 GMC truck, on display.

“I definitely grew up with an appreciation of old and classic cars and it’s something I still really follow closely today,” he said. “I’m always looking for something else to add to my collection.”

Tickets are $10 for adults and free for kids 13 and under with an adult ticket. Parking is $5.

Gordon’s family to visit Washington, White House

Gordon said that he and his wife, Ingrid, daughter, Ella and son, Leo have been invited to take part in the White House Easter Egg Roll next week.

More than 35,000 people are expected to gather on the White House South Lawn Friday for celebrations, cooking demonstrations and the egg roll and hunt.

“We’ll take the kids, go to the Smithsonian, go around the city and enjoy D.C., like we never have before,” Gordon said. “Especially Ella, she’s getting to the age where she’s really interested in these things. Of course Leo is very interested in the Air and Space Museum, and the National History Museum.”

Newman to run three modified races

Newman will run three NASCAR Whelen Modified races this season with Gary Putnam Racing – July 18 at New Hampshire, Aug. 19 at Bristol, Tenn., and Sept. 26 at New Hamsphire.

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 7:53 PM with the headline "Joey Logano wins pole for Sunday’s STP 500."