TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Busch Series rookie Johnny Sauter took the pole for the Aaron's 312, turning a lap at 188.764 mph Thursday on the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway.

"Winning the pole in my first time here is a lot more than I expected to do," said Sauter, who will join older brothers Jay and Tim in the 43-car field Saturday. "We didn't test here and those eight practice laps were all I had."

Johnny Sauter, driving the No. 2 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, will start alongside Stacy Compton's Chevrolet (187.511 mph).

Joe Nemechek qualified third in a Pontiac at 187.265, followed by Jay Sauter (186.966), Bobby Hamilton Jr. (186.769), Scott Riggs (186.616) and series leader Jack Sprague (186.380).

Tim Sauter was 11th at 185.808.