Mladin's time set a new SuperBike lap record around the re-configured circuit recording a best lap of 1-min 33.013-seconds. Second fastest was fellow Australian Anthony Gobert (Team Yamaha) 1:33.139, followed by Aaron Yates (Yoshimura Suzuki) 1:33.482 with Nicky Haydon (American Honda) 1:33.64 completing the front row of the grid.

Setting the fastest time for the event came as a surprise for Mladin as he is still recovering from a fractured left fibula that he suffered less than month ago.

"I am in a lot better shape than I thought we'd be in," said Mladin. "I'm having to use a lot of other body strength to compensate for the leg injury and that has tired me a bit. As for the race tomorrow, it will be close but I will be trying to maintain my winning form from Daytona."

Mladin is the defending race winner at Sears Point taking victory there in 1999 after last years round was cancelled due to water seepage on the circuit.

This weekend's pole position gives Mladin an AMA career total of 17 equal to that of multiple world champion Freddy Spencer.

Mladin currently leads the 2001 Chevy Trucks AMA US Superbike Championship after winning the opening round at Daytona and will be looking at making it two from two in tomorrow's 26-lap SuperBike feature race.