Racing: Sadler earns third straight pole position start at Iowa Speedway

NEWTON - NASCAR Nationwide Series season points leader Elliott Sadler sits in a familiar position.

Sadler captured his third straight pole at Iowa Speedway, leading the field of the U.S. Cellular 250 to the green flag Saturday night. Sadler, who has three wins this season, is trying for his first victory in four starts at the 0.875-mile oval.

Sadler recorded a fast qualifying lap of 23.309 seconds, good for 135.141 miles per hour, setting a new track record. It is his third pole and 16th top-10 start this season.

Sadler entered the race with a one-point lead over Richard Childress Racing teammate Austin Dillon, who was the fastest qualifying rookie. Dillon qualified third, which is his third top-10 start at Iowa Speedway, and 16th in 20 races in 2012.

Darrell Wallace Jr. qualified second. It is his second top-10 starts this season and at this track, making his Nationwide debut in the Pioneer Hi-Bred 250 here in May.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has won the last three Nationwide Series races at Iowa Speedway. He qualified 11th, which is his worst start during the streak.

Grimes, Iowa, native Brett Moffitt makes his Nationwide debut tonight, and qualified 10th. Des Moines native Michael Annett, who is sixth in season points, qualified 17th.

Cedar Rapids native Joey Gase is making his 16th Nationwide start after his debut in this race last year. He secured his best start, qualifying 25th. Gase, driving for Go Green Racing, had his best finish here last year, placing 20th.