Six-time and defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson earned his first Coors Light pole of the season Thursday night at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in preparation for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600.
Johnson will look for his first victory of the season on Sunday night and earn his way into the race for the “Chase.” Ironically, the last driver to win NASCAR’s longest race of the year from the pole was Johnson, in 2004. In fact, Johnson is the only driver to win from the pole at Charlotte in this century, having also taken the checkered flag from the top starting position in the fall race of 2009.
“Yeah, it was a really strong lap,” said Johnson. “I’m very pleased with it. Happy to get this Lowe’s Chevrolet on pole for this big race coming up Sunday afternoon. We knew we had a great race car today so it was nice to get out there and work our way through the three segments here and get it done. On the first run we missed it a little bit, but Chad (Knaus) knew exactly how to dial me in for the second one. We got a lot closer and for the third segment laid down a good lap.”
2012 Cup champion Brad Keselowski was second followed by Kasey Kahne in third.
Danica Patrick in her second Coca-Cola 600 will line-up fourth in the No. 10 GoDaddy Chevrolet in her career-best non-restrictor plate qualifying effort. By posting the fourth fastest run, Patrick posted the fastest qualifying lap ever by a female in NASCAR competition at a 1.5-mile oval.
“The car was really good,” offered Patrick. “I think the big difference that came for me was in the second round. (Tony) Gibson (crew chief) made really good adjustments and anticipated the offset from run one to run two really well and the balance was really good. I did that 20 whatever seven which was quickest in the second group. We have a lot to be proud of. I mean let’s face it this is the part of the weekend that I dreaded every time. I had to train myself to not say I hate qualifying. A lot to be proud of at Stewart-Haas and for the GoDaddy car and it’s going to give us a great starting spot for Sunday.”
Daddy-to-be Clint Bowyer was fifth. Denny Hamlin was sixth followed by Kyle Busch, Joey Logan, Marcos Ambrose and Dale Earnhardt Jr to round out the top-10.
Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth will start 11th and 12th, but both drivers failed to post a qualifying time after misjudging the time left on the qualifying clock compared to their position on the track. Both drivers demonstrated frustration over the radio after receiving the cross-flags signifying that qualifying was over.
Former 600 pole-sitter Aric Almirola was 13th, ahead of Trevor Bayne for Wood Bros. Racing, Martin Truex Jr., Brian Vickers, Justin Allgaier, Tony Stewart, Brian Scott and A.J. Allmendinger rounded out the top-20.
Roush Fenway Racing’s three cars will start 22nd, 23rd and 24th respectively with the train led by Carl Edwards, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Greg Biffle.
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates drivers Kyle Larson and last Saturday night’s All-Star winner Jamie McMurray were 24th and 25th, both missing the cut after the first round of knock-out qualifying.
Kansas winner and point’s leader Jeff Gordon only managed the 27th quickest lap, ahead of Kurt Busch, who plans to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night.
Michael McDowell in the Leavine-Family racing entry was 30th, one of the go-or-go homers who had to time into Sunday’s traditional event.
Austin Dillon is struggling to gain speed in his No 3 Cheerios Chevrolet SS this weekend after only clocking in 32nd fastest, while Ryan Truex was the final car to earn a starting position based on speed in 36th.
Josh Wise, Joe Nemechek, Michael Annett, Landon Cassill, Reed Sorenson, Ryan Newman and Blake Koch made up the 37th – 43rd starters respectively.
Dave Blaney and J.J. Yeley failed to make the starting lineup for the 55th annual Coca-Cola 600.
There is no on-track activity on Friday at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. Action resumes on Saturday, May 24 at 9:30 a.m., with a fifty minute Sprint Cup practice followed by NASCAR
Nationwide Series knock-out qualifying.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
