Jimmie Johnson continues hot streak with pole at Pocono

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LONG POND, Pa. -- Under partly sunny skies with comfortable temperatures in the high 70s, Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson blazed through Pocono Raceway's 2.5-mile triangle at 168.215 mph to capture the pole for Sunday's Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500.

Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 Lineup

Position Driver Speed Time
1. J. Johnson 168.215 53.503
2. M. Martin 167.560 53.712
3. D. Gilliland 167.187 53.832
4. J. Gordon 167.106 53.858
5. M. Kenseth 166.883 53.930
6. R. Newman 166.784 53.962
7. K. Kahne 166.522 54.047
8. B. Vickers 166.522 54.047
9. G. Biffle 166.516 54.049
10. Ku. Busch 166.445 54.072

Johnson, the 32nd of 44 drivers to attempt qualifying, was the only driver to eclipse the 168 mph barrier. The driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet backed up his speed from the first Sprint Cup practice (speeds), which he led at 166.784 mph. It was Johnson's 16th career pole, his second at Pocono and third of the 2008 season.

Calling it a "very smooth and comfortable lap," Johnson said his team focused exclusively on qualifying in practice. The Chad Knaus-led crew, he added, made key adjustments to remedy a loose condition during the 90-minute practice session. Then, it was simply up to him.

"I felt like Turn 2, I really got well through the tunnel," Johnson said, adding of his lap, "It ended up being enough and we got it."

Not without a challenge from Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s Mark Martin.

Martin, second in the opening practice, captured the outside pole to make it an all-Chevrolet front row. Martin turned the tri-oval in his No. 8 Chevrolet at 167.560 mph. The strong qualifying run came a week after Martin's confidence in the team's flat-track program led to his prediction of a win at Indianapolis. He finished 11th.

"I'll be careful about what I say going forward," Martin said with a smile.
David Gilliland gave Ford a presence in the top three, finishing third in his No. 38 Yates Racing (167.187 mph). It was his best qualifying effort of the season, and it came at a good time. FreeCreditReport.com is in its final race as Gilliland's primary sponsor.

Rounding out the top-five qualifiers were Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon (167.106) and Roush Fenway Racing's Matt Kenseth (166.883). Penske Racing's Ryan Newman (166.784) and Gillett Evernham Motorsports' Kasey Kahne (166.522) gave the sixth and seventh positions on the grid to Dodge, respectively. Red Bull Racing's Brian Vickers qualified eighth as the only Toyota driver in the top 10.

Front Row Motorsports' Chad Chaffin was the lone driver who failed to qualify.

Notes: Johnson's team changed transmissions prior to qualifying after he lost the use of first and second gear in practice. Kurt Busch scraped the wall approaching NASCAR's flagstand during his qualifying run but was able to complete the lap and will start 10th. Sam Hornish Jr. was the fastest qualifying rookie. He will start 26th.