It is because, when Formula One first started, so that they could see who was in the lead, they connected a mirror to a pole, so they see who was in the lead. this lead to the saying "pole position"
Harry Grant
When a driver qualifies in first position he wins "the pole".
Mark Thompson
In his career, Jeff Gordon has started from the pole position 72 times in the Nascar Cup Series and 12 times in the Nationwide Series (formerly known as the Busch Series).
During his Nascar Cup Series career, Richard Petty won 61races starting from the pole position.
Nascar holds qualifying a day or two prior to the race and that is how the field is set. The pole winner for that day will start in the first position for the race. If qualifying is cancelled, the field is set by owners points.
Jeff Gordon has won 74 pole awards in the Nascar Cup Series.
Harry Gant
Historically, the pole position, which is given to the top qualifier, is the front, inside. However, NASCAR has recently changed their ruling, to allow the top qualifier to choose which position he want, be it front inside, or outside.
If Tony Stewart won the pole and had to start at the rear of the field due to a mechanical failure, accident in practice etc., Tony is still credited as the pole winner for the race. The third place car will then move up in line to start the race in the first position.
The pole sitter in Nascar has a choice of starting on the inside or the outside of the front row. It depends on whether the driver likes the high line or the low line for that specific track.
Pole Position II happened in 7800.
Pole Position Raceway was created in 2005.