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.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
If Jimmie's on the pole at Phoenix, there's no stopping him now. That's one of Jimmie's best tracks as evident by his wins there, including one (if not two) this season. Sorry Edwards fans, but all those points he gained on Jimmie last week will be a glimmer of yester year tomorrow when Jimmie laps him several times, LOL.
To all you JJ haters, did you read Earnhardt Jr.'s comments about what a great guy and teammate he is and how he has earned his titles? It won't matter when even the star of NASCAR speaks out about Jimmie's talents and attitude, people will still hate him for no apparent reason. I myself am looking forward to championship number three in a row.
Go Jimmie! Don't hate, embrace the 48!!!!
Kim