Dale Earnhardt Jr. ended a stretch of nearly five years without qualifying in first thanks in part to a well-timed rain shower. Earnhardt won his first pole since September 2002 with a lap of 169.975 m.p.h. yesterday at Pocono Raceway. The top spot could be a huge benefit for Earnhardt, who is clinging to the final spot in the Chase. His lap after a 45-minute rain delay nudged Kurt Busch into second with a lap of 169.863. Kyle Busch was third at 169.782.