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Menard claims Bud pole in blind draw

Paul Menard will start Sunday's Bud Shootout from the pole after the annual blind draw to determine starting spots in the exhibition race.

Menard's Ford will shared the front row with Elliott Sadler's Dodge. The rest of the top five are Reed Sorenson, Scott Speed and Denny Hamlin.

Defending champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start ninth in the 28-car field. His Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jimmie Johnson (21) and Jeff Gordon (28) start further back in the field.