Kasey Kahne, who won the Busch Series pole earlier in the day, captured the pole for Saturday night's Chevy American Revolution 400 at the Richmond International Raceway. The No.9 Evernham Motorsports Dodge nearly broke the track record when he circled the 0.75-mile short track in 20.775 seconds (129.964 m.p.h.). Brian Vickers holds the top mark at RIR with a lap of 20.772 seconds (129.983 m.p.h.) set in 2004. The pole victory was Kahne's second of the season and sixth of his Cup career. "It was pretty good through (turns) three and four, but I got into one a little too far and got up the track higher than I wanted to be," said Kahne. "But I got it turned good and got a good run off of it. These guys do a good job and I'm happy for them." Starting on the front row with Kahne will be Ryan Newman, who posted a second- best time of 20.801 seconds. Tony Stewart (20.842) and Kurt Busch (20.857) will start in row two. Jimmie Johnson put up the early time to beat when he posted a lap of 21.103 seconds. The No.48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet leads teammate Jeff Gordon in the championship by 127 points (1,519-1,392). Another pair of teammates, Roush Racing's Greg Biffle and Busch sit third and fourth, respectively. Then Stewart took the spot away from Johnson. Kahne blasted past both drivers and had to wait out the final challenge - Newman. The No.12 Alltel Dodge driver was in a backup car, but still put up the second-best effort of the day. Ricky Rudd, the Chesapeake, VA native, will make his 850th Nextel Cup start - third all-time behind Richard Petty (1,185) and Dave Marcis (883). It will be the "Ironman's record 763 consecutive start. Rudd will start sixth in the 43- car field. Jeff Gordon (20th) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (27th) put in disappointing qualifying efforts. There have been 11 different pole winners in the last 11 races at RIR. The race is scheduled to begin on Saturday night at 7:35 (edt).