DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Martin Truex Jr. returned to the site of his only career Cup win and turned a lap of 159.004 mph to win the pole at Dover International Speedway.

Truex crashed the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship party on Saturday with his first pole of the season. He won his only career Cup race in 2007 at the Monster Mile.

Chase driver Kurt Busch was second. Paul Menard was third. Chase drivers Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson took the next three spots.

Points leader Tony Stewart starts 28th. Four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon also struggled during qualifying and starts 34th.

Truex, of nearby Mayetta, N.J., has long considered Dover his home track. He is 18th in the points standings.