Kyle Busch set a track in winning the pole at Phoenix International Raceway, where Brad Keselowski got a jump on Jimmie Johnson in their tight championship race.
Busch ran a lap of 138.766 mph in Friday's qualifying session to win the pole in his Toyota. It broke the track record of 137.279 set by Carl Edwards in 2011.
Martin Truex Jr. qualified second and Denny Hamlin was third to give Toyota the top three starting spots for Sunday's race.
But all eyes are on title contenders Johnson and Keselowski, who are separated by seven points in the standings with two races remaining heading into one of Johnson's best tracks.
However, it was Keselowski who had the better qualifying effort. He'll start 14th on Sunday, Johnson 24th.
