NASCAR TRUCK SERIES Defending-champion Cook has pole

Starting first will give him an advantage on a track where passing is difficult.
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (AP) -- 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."
Edwards is third
Carl Edwards, this year's rookie points leader, was the third-fastest in a Ford. Dennis Setzer was next in a Chevrolet, followed by Edwards' Roush Racing teammate, Jon Wood.
Rick Crawford, Chad Chaffin, 2001 GNC 200 winner Ted Musgrave, Hank Parker Jr. and NASCAR Winston Cup driver Ken Schrader completed the top 10.
Series points leader Bobby Hamilton, who has led in all eight races this year, qualified 15th for an event won by eight different drivers in eight years. Cook and Musgrave are the only former winners among 36 racers in the $469,150 event.
Big advantage
Cook said that starting first is a big advantage on the flat oval where passing is very difficult.
"Track position means a lot," he said. "It's extremely hard to pass and having clean air on the nose of your truck is huge here."
Gaughan, fourth in the race here last year, congratulated Cook on his pole but said he'd like it to end there.
"Hopefully, we can keep you from winning this year," said the former Georgetown University basketball player.