Speed takes pole for ARCA race

Speed is on double duty this weekend as he will race Friday night in the Truck race at Texas Motor Speedway and he left Pocono Raceway immediately after talking to the media following qualifying for Saturday's Pocono 200.

"I'm really happy with the pole," Speed said. "We knew we were bringing a good car. We were tight throughout most of practice today but Patty [Patrick Donahue, crew chief] and the team made a bunch of adjustments that put us on the top of the practice chart for our mock run.

"We knew we had a good car for qualifying. When I went out for the qualifying lap the track was definitely slick with the sun out. Honestly, I just held on and hoped it wouldn't get away from me.

"We have a busy day. We're leaving from here to go catch a plane to Texas."

The 25-year-old Californian says he doesn't foresee any problems in having such a hectic two days. This will be the second time he doubles up this year as he raced twice on the same weekend earlier this season, although both races were at Kansas Speedway.

"The switch from trucks to cars where we doubled up last time was challenging because it was the same track on the same day," Speed added. "And to get out of the ARCA car that was not flat around the corner and to get in the truck that you need to run flat.

"This shouldn't be a problem tonight. Two totally different tracks. The car should be really good tomorrow for the race. Tonight we'll go start at the back of the pack (for the truck race) and we'll see what we can do there."

Speed's pole is his first of the season although he had previously started three times on the front row of the grid.