News > Johnson races to pole at Homestead

In NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifications at the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday afternoon, Jimmie Johnson topped 47 other cars to claim the pole position for the Ford 400 on Sunday.

Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Photo by Action Sports Photography.

In winning the premier starting position, Johnson garnered his second pole at Homestead, fourth of the season and his 23rd in 291 Sprint Cup Series races.

At a press conference on Thursday, Johnson addressed the importance of being at or near the front of the starting field for the Ford 400, and he did just that for the 36th and final round of qualifications for 2009.

Speeding around the 1.5-mile banked track, Johnson cranked off a lap at 173.919 miles per hour in his Lowe's Chevrolet. He was the 32nd driver in the qualification line and his quick time knocked teammate Mark Martin from the provisional pole. The latter's speed was 172.353 mph.

Subsequently, late qualifiers Scott Speed and Marcos Ambrose bumped Martin to the outside of row two with speeds of 172.695 and 172.678 mph, respectively.

"I am excited about the pole as it gives us the first pit stall," Johnson. "Pit road is difficult here when the sun is setting, and it is difficult to see the parameters of your pit box.

"We didn't have the lap we wanted in practice (21st fastest) and the last sticker (tire) run we had I tried way too hard. I am glad I did as I found the limit of where traction was in turns three and four. I didn't want to give away any time down there."

Discussing the race, Johnson added, "I am not taking anything for granted after the Texas experience, and I just need to make sure I get through the gears strong. The sheer fact of being in the top five is good as the air is so much better on the cars, and I am not going to worry about the others at the start."

Speed, in the Red Bull Toyota, posted his seventh top-10 start of the season and his second in two races at Homestead. He was the 48th and last car to qualify.

"There was nothing special about the lap," Speed stated. "With the sun going down, it helped a lot. If not for that, the Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin would have had the front row. When you are in the go or go-home position, you can't hang it all out. You have to hold something back, but it puts us in a good position for Sunday."

Starting beside championship contender Johnson makes Speed exercise some caution. "Race drivers usually don't have a plan, but you don't want to be the idiot that takes out the No. 48, as it would not look good on your resume," he said.

Ambrose in the Little Debbie/Kingsford/Clorox Toyota was seeking his best qualifying effort of the season, but he ended up third.

"My qualifying effort was great until Scott Speed bumped me off the front row," he said. "We were a half second faster than we were a year ago, and it shows how far I have come and the team, too. This track was my worst one last season, and I was worried coming down here."

Regarding the start and being close to Johnson, he stated, "I will follow him into turn one. Jimmie (Johnson) has a halo around his car, so I will stay a safe distance behind and let him do his thing."

Row three will have Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick in Chevrolets with Ryan Newman (Chevrolet) and three-time Homestead winner Greg Biffle (Ford) the next fastest qualifiers.

Bill Elliott (Ford) and Clint Bowyer (Chevrolet) rounded out the top-10 qualifiers.

Other Chase contenders and their qualifying positions were Kurt Busch 12th, Jeff Gordon 20th, Juan Pablo Montoya 23rd, Carl Edwards 24th, Brian Vickers 33rd and Denny Hamlin 38th.

Fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the 32nd fastest qualifier.

Missing the starting field were Joe Nemechek, Dave Blaney, Mike Skinner, Max Papis and David Stremme.

The Sprint Cup competitors will have two practice sessions on Saturday ahead of Sunday's Ford 400, to be telecast live at 3:15 p.m. ET.