Photo: The Canadian Press

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Martin Truex Jr., who is retiring from full-time NASCAR competition after Sunday’s season finale, won the pole for the championship-deciding race at Phoenix Raceway.

Truex lapped at 134.741 mph on Saturday to earn the top starting spot. He plans to run a handful of races in 2025.

“I don’t really know the meaning of this; I guess it hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m excited for the weekend,” Truex said. “We’ll see how it goes. I’m not sure it’s really sunk in yet and I’m not sure about the emotions. I guess I’m not too excited, so we’ll see what happens after the race. “I’m looking forward to a fun weekend and hopefully a great day.”

Truex will start ahead of title contender Joey Logano, who is trying to become NASCAR’s only three-time active Cup champion in a Ford for Team Penske.

“Yes, we have them where we want them,” Logano said. “We just have to put our foot on their throats from here.”

Ross Chastain, the defending race winner at Phoenix, qualified third in a Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing. Last year he became the first non-title contender to win the final in this format.

Kyle Larson qualified fifth and was followed by Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott in a pair of Chevrolets.

Joe Gibbs Racing’s Ty Gibbs was sixth in a Toyota and followed by teammate Christopher Bell.

William Byron, one of the championship contenders, qualified eighth in a Hendrick Chevy and was followed by Harrison Burton, who is in his final race with Wood Brothers Racing.

Tyler Reddick, with the 23XI Racing team owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, qualified tenth as he competes for his first Cup title. Jordan was in the pits watching the qualifying.

Reigning NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney was the lowest-ranked driver of the title contenders at 17th. He is looking to become the first driver to win back-to-back titles since Jimmie Johnson won five in a row from 2006 to 2010. He and Logano have a chance to give Roger Penske three straight Cup titles.

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