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Going for record-tying 5th win in Rolex 24, Ganassi's Scott Pruett will start from pole

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Scott Pruett drives the Ganassi Racing BMW Riley to win the pole position during qualifying for the Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (The Associated Press)

Juan Pablo Montoya, left, of Colombia, and Joey Hand talk in the garage area after a practice session for the Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (The Associated Press)

Scott Pruett's run for the record book will start from the front of the field.

Pruett earned the pole Thursday for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the prestigious, twice-around-the-clock endurance event that kicks off the racing season.

Pruett covered the 3.56-mile road course at Daytona International Speedway in 1 minute, 40.553 seconds. He averaged 127.455 mph, a tad faster than Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon. Dane Cameron of Team Sahlen was third.

Pruett, a four-time race winner, is looking to tie Hurley Haywood's record of five victories.

Pruett is again part of Ganassi's star-studded entries. He's teamed in the No. 01 BMW/Riley DP entry with Memo Rojas, NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya and IndyCar driver Charlie Kimball.