NASCAR Champion Wins First Pole This Year

After a disappointing race a week ago, defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart started this weekend on a high note as he won his first pole starting position of the season in qualifying for Sunday night's Advocare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Stewart in his Office Depot Chevrolet qualified at a speed of 186.121 mph to beat out Greg Biffle in his Roush-Fenway Ford for the top starting spot.

Stewart cleared the air between he and fellow driver Matt Kenseth after their altercation when battling for the race lead at Bristol last week.  Kenseth qualified 4th this week at Atlanta.

There are just two races left before the field is solidified for the 12 drivers who will be battling in the Chase for the Championship.  Carl Edwards is one of the drivers looking for his first win of the year in order to try to get into the chase via a wild card spot.  Edwards qualified 12th.

Danica Patrick and Regan Smith were also involved in a confrontation last weekend at Bristol. Patrick qualified well this week at Atlanta in just her 5th Cup race of the season and will start 23rd.  Smith starts two rows behind Patrick in 27th.