- (Sports Network) - Ron Hornaday, Jr. edged Sprint Cup Series regular Kyle Busch to win the pole for Friday night's Lucas Oil 150 Craftsman Truck Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. The No.33 Chevrolet driver and defending series champion rounded the one-mile oval in 27.319 seconds (131.776 m.p.h.). The pole victory was Hornaday's fifth of the season, second at Phoenix and 19th of his Truck Series career.

"Phoenix is a lot of fun, and it feels like home to me," said Hornaday, a native of Palmdale, California. "A lot of family and friends come out here. It's just cool. It feels like my old Southwest Touring (Series) days here the way that truck drove."

Hornaday is just six points behind leader Johnny Benson with two races to go, making it the narrowest margin in the series' 15-year history at this stage. Benson qualified 14th.

Busch, the defending race winner, will start second after recording a time of 27.419.

Erik Darnell (27.520) and Scott Speed (27.536) will make up row two.

Brian Scott will roll off fifth.

Sixth through 10th will be: J.R. Fitzpatrick, Brad Keselowski, Mike Skinner, Brendan Gaughan and Kevin Harvick.

Last year, Hornaday trailed Mike Skinner by 57 points heading into Phoenix, but came back in the final two races to capture his third series title.

Benson has finished seventh or better in his last five races at Phoenix, including a victory there two years ago, while Hornaday has finished no worse than 13th in 13 starts at Phoenix. He won there in 1998 and '99.

The green flag for tonight's race is scheduled to drop around 8:00 p.m. (et).





































































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