Denny Hamlin, the last of 42 drivers to make a qualifying attempt, knocked Kasey Kahne off the pole for Saturday night's Camping World 300 NASCAR Busch Series race at California Speedway. Hamlin's fast lap of 180.316 mph on Friday, came with the sun setting on a track that was finally cooling a bit after the high temperature had reached 104 degrees and the track temperature went over 140. The lap was good enough to give Hamlin his 12th Busch pole and relegate Kahne's 180.

 ActiveReports Document

ActiveReports Document

Stifling heat, with a high of 104, greeted NASCAR's Nextel Cup and Busch Series drivers Friday at California Speedway. Most of the drivers are in great shape and used to sitting in the closed cockpit of a stock car with inside temperatures moving into triple figures. But the heat wave covering Southern California this week is pushing the envelope. Asked how he handles the heat, Denny Hamlin said, "Stay indoors at all costs as long as possible.

While Joe Gibbs Racing officials remained mum Friday on the anticipated switch from Chevrolet to Toyota, Kyle Busch was more than happy to talk about it. Busch, who will leave Hendrick Motorsports to drive for JGR in 2008, said he got a call from the team earlier this week confirming the change.