The Pole Sitter. I believe they're called a "Flagman/person"
Martin Truex Jr. was on the pole.
When a driver qualifies in first position he wins "the pole".
Jeff Gordon has won 74 pole awards in the Nascar Cup Series.
Harry Gant
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
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.
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).
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.
18
During his Nascar Cup Series career, Richard Petty won 61races starting from the pole position.