The Associated Press

CONCORD, N.C. - Ryan Newman knows he'll have to be flawless over the final six races to win the Nextel Cup title.

Newman was just that Thursday night, shattering the track record at Lowe's Motor Speedway while winning the pole for the UAW-GM Quality 500.

Newman turned a lap at 188.877 mph in his Dodge to win the top starting spot. It beat the track record of 187.052 that Jimmie Johnson set in May.

Newman knows the track record means nothing. He needs a win Saturday night to climb back into the Chase for the Cup. His 33rd-place finish in Kansas last weekend dropped him to eighth in the standings, 232 points behind leader Kurt Busch.

"We're just going to keep our smiley face on and do the best job we can," Newman said. "It's not easy to do by any means, but you have to forget what you can't fix."

Kasey Kahne ran a lap at 187.311 to qualify second, and Casey Mears was third. With six races left in the 10-event playoff system, it's almost a three-man race.

Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon are battling for the lead, with the other seven drivers hoping the top three slip up enough to gain some ground.

MARTIN CUTS BACK: Mark Martin announced Thursday that the 2005 season will be his last as a full-time racer.

Martin is not retiring but wants to lighten his schedule after what will be his 19th full season. That will be the last opportunity for him to win a championship.

"In 2006, I'll still be in the driver's seat," Martin said. "I just don't know exactly what seat that will be just yet. I'm too young to retire, but I've had enough of this full schedule and the battle. It's been really tough on me and it's been tough on my family."

BUSCH: Casey Mears won the second Busch series pole of his career, earning the top starting position in qualifying Thursday night for the SpongeBob 300.