Logano and his Team Penske Ford toured the 0.526-mile track at 97.043 mph, outrunning a flock of Chevys and Toyotas for pole position. Sunday’s STP 500 begins about 1 p.m. ET at the tiny track known as “the paperclip.”

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It’s Logano’s third consecutive time as Martinsville pole-setter, a feat last accomplished by Jeff Gordon in 2003 and ‘04.

“I say all the time that Martinsville is the most important track to start up front, and that’s when you’ve got to come here and really show what you’ve got,” Logano told media members.

“This is a nice little fire for us to get going. We’ve had a good season so far, but you want to break through and get some wins, and this pole is definitely going to help with some momentum.”

Defending champion Denny Hamlin will start from eighth, in the middle of a threesome of Toyotas. Kyle Busch will start seventh, Matt Kenseth ninth.

It was Kenseth who last fall brought Logano’s race — and Cup championship hopes — to a crashing halt at Martinsville. Gordon won the race, the final victory of his illustrious career.

“Starting up front here is important for a lot of reason,” Logano said. “One is pit stall and two is really staying out of trouble, so I’m excited about the race.”

Kasey Kahne was the best of the Chevy drivers in Logano’s wake. Third slot went to Brian Vickers, with a strong qualifying performance in Tony Stewart’s No. 14 car. Vickers will make his second consecutive start for Stewart, who continues to rehab from back surgery.

“The car was really fast,” Kahne said. “I just kept getting better with my laps. We didn’t make any adjustments. The car is fine. Just let me get my laps a little better. So we did that, and it was close.”

It’s Kahne’s first top-five qualifying run since October’s Talladega race.

Teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. experienced brake issues and qualified 21st.

Here’s the full field for Sunday’s STP 500. And yes, it is a full 40-car field this week, ending a streak of races in which NASCAR was unable to fill its starting grid.

This week’s trucks race is Saturday at Martinsville.