KANSAS CITY, KAN. ? Martin Truex Jr. tried to enter the interview room without interrupting any questions.

Unfortunately for the NASCAR Busch Series points leader, it didn’t work.

In a hooded sweatshirt and baseball cap, a sheepish Truex made his way to the front table, where two drivers already sat answering questions.

Though he arrived last to interviews, Truex finished first at Friday’s United Way 300 time trial, earning the pole position for today’s Busch race at Kansas Speedway.

Truex posted a speed of 178.938 mph – breaking the previous Busch record set in 2003 – and today will try to extend his 26-point series lead over second-place Clint Bowyer.

“I feel like we should be 200 ahead like we were a couple of weeks ago,” Truex said, “but they’ve been running stronger, and we just ran into some roadblocks here lately.”

Nascar Busch series driver Martin Truex Jr. climbs out of his car after qualifying for today's United Way 300 at Kansas Speedway. Truex will start on the pole after posting a qualifying speed of 178.938 mph Friday in Kansas City, Kan.

One of those roadblocks was an off-the-track incident Sept. 9 at Richmond, Va., when Truex was docked 25 points for making an obscene gesture.

continued from page 1c

Just four races ago, Truex led Bowyer by 204 points. But Truex has not finished in the top 10 in any of his previous three events.

Meanwhile, Bowyer – who earned 10th at the time trial – comes in as one of the hottest drivers, earning second-, third- and fourth-place finishes in the last month.

Bowyer, an Emporia native, would love to perform well in front of a favorable crowd this weekend.

“I can’t let the distractions of being close to home get in my way,” Bowyer said, “but it sure would be nice to leave in the lead and give all the fans something extra to cheer about.”

Nascar Busch series driver Clint Bowyer waits his turn to qualify for today's United Way 300. Bowyer, an Emporia native, posted the 10th-fastest time Friday at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.

Even though Bowyer undoubtedly will be the local favorite, Truex said he didn’t believe it was too much of an advantage.

“His name’s not on the track – he doesn’t own it,” Truex said. “It’s just another racetrack that we like to go to. It’s a fun place to race.”

Though he only has three top-10 finishes all year, Jon Wood finished second in the time trial after posting a speed of 178.832 mph.

“We’re back to where we started the season with top-five starts and very good finishes,” Wood said. “We just need to capitalize on what we’re capable of (today).”

Regan Smith finished third (178.761 mph) and Kasey Kahne placed fourth (178.330 mph).

The United Way 300 is scheduled to start at 1:10 p.m. today at Kansas Speedway.