WEST ALLIS, Wis. ? Defending race champion Terry Cook won the pole Friday for the NASCAR truck series race at The Milwaukee Mile.

Cook, who won in 2002 after making a pass on the next-to-last lap, took the top starting position for today’s GNC Live Well 200 with a lap of 119.996 mph in a Ford. Brendan Gaughan qualified second in a Dodge at 119.868.

Cook, fastest in an earlier practice session, was the 34th of 38 drivers to make his qualifying run.

Gaughan, the Craftsman series Rookie of the Year last season, had the provisional pole for most of the session.

Cook made only one lap, shutting off his engine after crew chief Rick Ren said by radio that the speed was good enough for the pole.

“I was shocked,” Cook said. “Going through (turns) one and two, I thought the lap was going to be terrible.”

Carl Edwards, this year’s rookie points leader, was the third-fastest in a Ford.

Raikkonen sets pace in European GP

NuerBurging, Germany (ap) — Kimi Raikkonen took the first step toward regaining the lead in the Formula One standings by posting the fastest time in pre-qualifying Friday for the European Grand Prix.

Raikkonen was timed in 1 minute, 29.989 seconds on the 3.199-mile circuit in his Mercedes-powered McLaren.

“We haven’t been Friday qualifying specialists so far this year, which makes the fact that Kimi was fastest today and the only one who achieved a time under 1 minute, 30 seconds very pleasing,” said Norbert Haug, Mercedes technical director

Five-time series champion Michael Schumacher, who took the points lead with a victory June 15, was second-fastest. His Ferrari got around the course in 1:30.353.