The defending series champion turned a lap at 136.945 mph in the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota in the last of three rounds of qualifying on the mile oval. He edged Kyle Larson in 84-degree afternoon heat for his 16th career pole and second at Phoenix.
"We've qualified well here in the past, but we've been kind of been searching for those last couple spots," Truex said. "We were fifth here in the fall and that was about all we can do. Just a good game plan and good execution by everybody. Definitely a fun day."
Jimmie Johnson ended up 17th after topping the first round.