SPARTA, Ky. -- The questions during NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying Friday were how many drivers would raise Kentucky Speedways record and by how much. Dale Earnhardt Jr. provided the answer of the eight that broke it, clocking 183.636 mph to wrest the mark from Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson and the pole for Saturday nights race. Earnhardts speed was nearly 2 mph faster than Johnsons 181.818 mph last June, which he needed to keep Johnson from keeping the record. Minutes before, Johnson had a lap at 183.144 mph to hold off Ryan Newman (182.254). Earnhardt set the standard in the No. 88 Chevy soon after and survived several furious attempts to unseat him before coming away with his 12th career pole and first at Kentucky. Carl Edwards (183.306 mph) eventually grabbed the outside front in the No. 99 Ford. Johnson settled for third with Kyle Busch (182.593) fourth in a Toyota. Marcos Ambrose (182.587) qualified fifth in a Ford and will start alongside Denny Hamlin, whose No. 11 Toyota ran 182.340 mph. The final two over 182 mph were Newman and defending race winner and Cup champion Brad Keselowski (182.192). "I thought we had a good car in practice," Earnhardt said, "and we got some cloud cover. That gave us an opportunity to run a good lap." Drivers felt as if a track record was possible with NASCARs new Gen 6 car, even on Kentuckys bumpy surface. Anticipation grew even more with cooler-than-expected temperatures and intermittent clouds, and several drivers gave chase to Johnsons mark early in the session. Johnson, the series points leader, promptly raised the bar higher with a speed that seemed to put the pole and the record out of reach even with two-thirds of qualifying remaining. Newman gave chase and briefly had the second spot before settling for a solid berth in the field. "I feel good," said Johnson, who checked his No. 48 Chevy for damage after hitting one of the trucks bumps and going airborne. "I felt (turns) one and two went really well. (Turns) three and four, I thought maybe I could have been a little faster through there." Earnhardt, sixth after the final practice, soon grabbed his up-front view and the record as all the elements fell into place for his first pole since September at Richmond. "The cloud cover at least gave us a bit of speed," said Earnhardt, who joked that getting a haircut between practice and qualifying might have made him more aerodynamic as well. "Of course, cooler track temps gives the car more grip and we definitely had the better situation of anyone in practice with that scenario. "There were some clouds in the qualifying session, but not quite the extent that we had. I did think the lap was really good." Jeff Kemp Jersey .com) - Jenny Boucek is the new head coach of the Seattle Storm. John Taylor Jersey . The 27-year-old hit .209 in 86 at-bats last year after missing the 2010 season following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. https://www.49ersjerseysale.com/2442l-matt-breida-jersey-49ers.html . Miralem Pjanic dribbled through the defence to score an extraordinary goal in the 43rd minute at the Stadio Olimpico and Gervinho added another from a rebound in the 65th for Romas ninth straight victory — ending Milans five-match winning streak. Charles Haley Jersey .C. - Nick Merkley and Damon Severson each had a goal and two assists as the Kelowna Rockets downed the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds 6-3 on Saturday in Western Hockey League playoff action. San Francisco 49ers Store . Quarterback Drew Willy appeared to injure his throwing hand on the third last play of practice Thursday.NEW YORK -- California Chrome arrived in New York on Tuesday to begin preparations for his bid to become horse racings first Triple Crown winner in 36 years. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner arrived at Belmont Park after an uneventful four-hour journey by van from Baltimore. He was backed off the van -- he doesnt like walking straight off like most horses -- and then led into the barn by assistant trainer Alan Sherman. California Chrome walked several laps around the barn before being taken outside to pose on the grass for a media horde. He later settled into his stall. "He likes to stand out here and pose," Sherman said. "He loves to get his picture taken. Hes a very inquisitive horse. Hes always checking out whats going on around him. Hes actually been so straightforward to train; hes made our jobs easy." California Chrome will start training on the track daily beginning Wednesday. The 3-year-old colt is set to run in the Belmont Stakes on June 7. He owns a six-race winning streak, including the Derby by 1 3/4 lengths and the Preakness by 1 1/2 lengths. No horse has swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont since Affirmed in 1978. "I think the industry could really use a Triple Crown winner right now, especially with a story like thiis," Sherman said.dddddddddddd. "This horse didnt cost a ton of money to buy him or breed him. This goes to show you never know what can happen in this game." Sherman assists his 77-year-old father, Art, who returned to Southern California after the Preakness. The elder Sherman plans to reunite with his horse and son the week before the Belmont. "Im so proud of my dad for him to be able to do this towards the end of his career," Alan Sherman said. "Hes very deserving." Preakness runner-up Ride On Curlin accompanied California Chrome on the trip from Baltimore. Another Preakness starter under consideration for the Belmont is third-place finisher Social Inclusion, who is scheduled to arrive in New York on Friday. General A Rod (fourth), Ring Weekend (fifth) and Kid Cruz (eighth) are questionable to run in the 1 1/2-mile race. Other probables are Commanding Curve, Danza, Wicked Strong, and Samraat, the second, third, fourth and fifth-place finishers from the Derby; along with Tonalist and Commissioner, who were first and second in the Peter Pan at Belmont; and Intense Holiday, 12th in the Derby. "It looks like it could be a tough one," said Todd Pletcher, who trains Danza, Commissioner and Intense Holiday. ' ' '