Jimmie Johnson Puts Foot Down in Phoenix

Chase for the Sprint Cup point leader Jimmie Johnson is tired of Carl Edwards biting at his heels during his quest for a third-straight NASCAR Sprint Cup title -- especially after finishing a modest 15th a week ago at Texas Motor Speedway that allow Edwards a small glimmer of championship hope.

No more of that, Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 said Friday afternoon at Phoenix International Raceway as he put the Chevrolet on the pole for Sunday's Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500k.

Johnson -- who had paced the prior practice session -- starts first thanks to a lap of 134.725mph that bested that guy who has been a having a pretty good go things lately, Jamie McMurray.

Johnson and McMurray will start on the front row while Kurt Busch, David Reutimann (man, where he has come from lately?) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. round out the grid's Top-5. Carl Edwards rolls off in a pretty unremarkable 15th spot that could pose a few problems at this track positon-heavy track that doesn't bode well for great amounts of passing in the new car.

A few Chasers -- including Greg Biffle, who has a marginal shot at pulling out a title -- are starting way back in the field for Sunday's race. Included in that list are Jeff Burton (24th), Tony Stewart (29th), Biffle (31st) and Matt Kenseth (35th).

Joe Nemechek was the only driver who didn't make the race.