SONOMA, Calif. -- Kasey Kahne won his first career pole on a road course, and former Indianapolis 500 champion Dario Franchitti failed to qualify Friday at Infineon Raceway.

Kahne won the pole with a lap of 92.153 mph. In the last month, he's won two poles and three races, including the all-star race.

"He's caught on to something,'' said Kurt Busch, who will start Sunday's race third. "We've got to go and figure out what it is.''

Jimmie Johnson qualified second at 92.040 mph. He was followed by Busch, Bobby Labonte and Jeff Gordon. This marks Labonte's best qualifying effort this season.

Marcos Ambrose, driving for the Wood Brothers, qualified seventh and will make his Cup debut Sunday.

Defending race winner Juan Pablo Montoya qualified 21st. Kyle Busch will start a season-worst 30th, snapping a streak of 10 consecutive top-10 starts. Tony Stewart will start a season-worst 39th.

Franchitti, among the open-wheel crossovers expected to run well because of the road course experience, was one of four drivers who failed to make the race. Also missing the race will be J.J. Yeley, Scott Riggs and Brandon Ash.

A "Nuisance''

J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, admits that Tony Stewart's uncertain status for next year can wear on the team.

"It is hard,'' Gibbs said. "If you look back, each team goes through this every other year it seems like. Until you get it put to bed, it is kind of a nuisance to everybody, to Tony (and) our guys.''

Stewart has not said much about his future since stating in late April that he was considering options to drive for other teams. An offer from Haas CNC Racing included partial ownership. Stewart's contract with Gibbs, though, goes through next year.

Crew chief Greg Zipadelli suggested to ESPN.com last week that Stewart's uncertain status for next year is wearing on him.

"We've spent a lot of times in the past talking about, 'Hey we started here together, we're going to finish here together,'" Zipadelli told ESPN.com. "But things change. I can't worry about it, but it is hard right now.''

Stewart was asked if he was concerned that the longer he went without a decision the more it would wear on his team.

"The wear comes from you guys,'' Stewart said, referring to the media. "We've all been doing fine. It's having to answer the same questions week in and week out when we've told you all along when there's something new to tell you, we'll tell you.''

(Almost) done deal

Greg Biffle says he expects to announce next week that he's signed a three-year contract extension with Roush Fenway Racing.

"I'll be excited to get it done and behind me,'' said Biffle, who has been with Roush since joining his truck team in 1998.

Twice as nice

Although Bill Davis Racing will lose sponsor Caterpillar after this season, the team is planning on expanding to a two-car effort next season.

Marty Gaunt, vice president at Bill Davis Racing, says the team expects to name a sponsor for the No. 23 car in a couple of weeks. The car has been idled almost all season.

The team also is looking for a sponsor for Dave Blaney with Caterpillar's departure to Richard Childress Racing for next year.

Pit stops

The temperature hit 102 degrees in Sonoma on Friday. ... Scott Pruett will skip practice today to compete in a road race at Mid-Ohio. He'll return in time for Sunday's race. Pruett is driving for Reed Sorenson this weekend. Pruett starts 27th.