NASCAR At Martinsville Starting Lineup: Kasey Kahne Gets Second Pole Of 2012 Season

Is Kasey Kahne the new Rocket Man?

Ryan "Rocket Man" Newman has long held the reputation of being NASCAR's fastest qualifier in the Chase era, but another pole position for Kahne on Saturday might mean the newest Hendrick Motorsports driver needs a nickname of his own.

Kahne won the pole for Sunday's Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, his second pole position of the season and 18th since the start of the 2006 season – a series high among all drivers.

"Feels good," Kahne told SPEED after his lap. "I've qualified decent Martinsville before, but never a pole. ... I was able to pull it off, barely."

Though Newman still has the most poles in the Chase era (31), Kahne now has 24, which is tied with Jimmie Johnson for second.

Kevin Harvick qualified second on Saturday at the track nearest to his home, followed by race favorite Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer and Newman.

J.J. Yeley, Scott Speed and Mike Bliss failed to make the Martinsville field on time, but Tony Raines' qualifying time was disallowed for being too low in inspection – meaning Yeley got in the race after all.

Here's the starting lineup for Sunday's NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway: