LOUDON, N.H. – Mike Olsen is keeping the pressure on current points leader and two-time reigning Busch North champion Andy Santerre.

Pecking away at Santerre’s points lead for the past few races, Olsen threw down the challenge Friday by claiming the pole for Saturday’s Siemens 125 at New Hampshire International Speedway.

Olsen’s speed of 123.732 mph was nearly 2 mph faster than Santerre. The Cherryfield, Maine, native will start 15th in the 35-car field.

“Mike Olsen’s been coming on strong,” said Santerre. “He’s run good all year. He’s not making it easy on us. But we’re up to the challenge.”

Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., will start on the outside of Row 1. Mike Stefanik and Mike Johnson will start on Row 2, while the third row will feature Joey McCarthy and Scarborough’s Kelly Moore.

Moore’s 26 victories are more than anyone else in Busch North history.

Moore’s son Ryan, 20, recorded the eighth fastest time on NHIS’s Magic Mile.

“We had trouble with the race set up all day,” Ryan Moore said. “We’ll make a bunch of changes (Saturday) and try to get the car’s set up just right.”

Tracy Gordon of Strong qualified 24th.

Santerre, meanwhile, said he was puzzled by his qualifying effort at a speedway that he considers his “home track.” Santerre has two wins at NHIS and has finished second his last three races and four of his last five.

“We’re pretty disappointed,” said Santerre. “This is a good track for us. We come here a lot. We like coming here, we’re always looking forward to this track

“We’ve got a good car for the race. It’s just not real fast right now in qualifying. I don’t know why. We’re baffled by that. I’m shaking my head.”

With the Busch North series at the midpoint of the 2004 season, Santerre’s lead over Olsen is a mere 14 points. The Maine driver, who has captured four of the first eight races, is coming off his worst effort of the season, placing 11th last weekend at Waterford, Conn. That effort was Santerre’s first finish outside of the top 10.

While Olsen has not won a race this year, he has successfully closed the gap by finishing in the top five in each of the last six races.

Despite Olsen’s huge advantage during qualifying, Santerre remains confident.

“I’ll just treat it as another race and do everything I can to keep the Aubuchon Chevy up front,” he said. “We don’t worry about everybody else. We worry about our own and hopefully that pays off at the end. I think we’ll have a good run.

“I’ve (started) worse and finished better, so that’s not too bad.”

NOTES: Ted Christopher, who’s bid to qualify for the Banknorth 250 last weekend ended with a crash, won the pole for Friday’s Siemens 100 in the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series. The Plainville, Conn., driver posted the fastest lap of the day in 128.57 mph. John Blewett III and Jan Leaty reound out the top three. No Maine drivers are in the field. … Several drivers familiar to Maine racing fans will compete in the Busch North race. In addition to the Moores duo, Santerre and Gordon, the Maine connection includes Mike Gallo of Sanford (starting 11th) and Bill Penfold of Yarmouth (21st). Past Banknorth 250 champions Dave Dion (22nd) and Jamie Aube (25th)..