CONCORD, N.C. — Jimmie Johnson could only look at his car Thursday, spending most of the afternoon eating junk food in his team’s hauler and watching it rain.
Before nightfall, the Sprint Cup points leader had been awarded more treats — the pole, the first pit stall, and likely five points for leading the first lap — for the Bank of America 500 on Saturday night.
Johnson hopes the gift will help him regain his dominance at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
The steady drizzle that first canceled the afternoon practice session didn’t subside, and NASCAR called off qualifying 90 minutes before it was scheduled to begin.
The field was set based on owner points. Johnson and Carl Edwards, 72 points behind the leader, will start on the front row Saturday night in the midpoint race in the Chase for the championship.
After winning five of six points races at the track from 2003-05, Johnson hasn’t won since, coinciding with the track’s resurfacing. He finished 39th in May’s Coca-Cola 600 after blowing an engine.
“The advantage we had years back has kind of gone away,” Johnson said. “Kasey Kahne has more momentum here than just about anyone so far over the last two or three years. We’ve been right there. We’ve been a good top five car, but I hope we can get that magic back and find it here.”
Greg Biffle, 77 points behind Johnson, will start third, followed by Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick.
The rainout leaves Edwards and Harvick — involved in a scuffle in the garage Thursday afternoon — in close proximity when the green flag waves.
“I don’t know how we would have qualified,” said Edwards, who declined to discuss the dustup with Harvick. “I think we were set up, prepared to really give a good effort qualifying. I don’t know if that affects us, made a big difference, but I’m really ready to race.”
Tony Stewart, who ended a 43-race winless streak Sunday at Talladega, will start seventh, followed by defending race champion Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The rain prevented four drivers of part-time teams a chance to make the race. Brad Keselowski, Scott Speed and Bryan Clauson were trying to make their first Sprint Cup start. Veteran Derrike Cope also went home.
AJ Allmendinger, let go by Red Bull Racing two weeks ago, did make the field in his first race in the No. 00 Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing, because that team is 36th in owner points.
Kasey Kahne, who swept the All-Star race and Coca-Cola 600 at LMS in the spring, will start 15th. But while he’s the hottest driver at the track, Johnson still earns respect at the place he once owned.
“I do think it’s a big advantage to start up front,” Johnson said. “The track has changed a lot, especially with this new asphalt that is down and the tire that we run on it.”
Thursday; race Saturday
At Lowe’s Motor Speedway
Concord, N.C.
Lap length: 1.5 miles
(Car number in parentheses)
Note: Qualifying canceled because of rain; lineup was set in accordance with the NASCAR Sprint Cup rule book.
1. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 1st.
2. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford, 2008 Owner Points – 2nd.
3. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 2008 Owner Points – 3rd.
4. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 4th.
5. (07) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 5th.
6. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 6th.
7. (20) Tony Stewart, Toyota, 2008 Owner Points – 7th.
8. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 8th.
9. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, 2008 Owner Points – 9th.
10. (88) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 10th.
11. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 2008 Owner Points – 11th.
12. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 2008 Owner Points – 12th.
13. (6) David Ragan, Ford, 2008 Owner Points – 13th.
14. (8) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 14th.
15. (9) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 2008 Owner Points – 15th.
16. (12) Ryan Newman, Dodge, 2008 Owner Points – 16th.
17. (83) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 2008 Owner Points – 17th.
18. (1) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 18th.
19. (2) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 2008 Owner Points – 19th.
20. (43) Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 2008 Owner Points – 20th.
21. (26) Jamie McMurray, Ford, 2008 Owner Points – 21st.
22. (19) Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 2008 Owner Points – 22nd.
23. (5) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 23rd.
24. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Dodge, 2008 Owner Points – 24th.
25. (28) Travis Kvapil, Ford, 2008 Owner Points – 25th.
26. (44) David Reutimann, Toyota, 2008 Owner Points – 26th.
27. (15) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 27th.
28. (38) David Gilliland, Ford, 2008 Owner Points – 28th.
29. (01) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 29th.
30. (41) Reed Sorenson, Dodge, 2008 Owner Points – 30th.
31. (55) Michael Waltrip, Toyota, 2008 Owner Points – 31st.
32. (22) Dave Blaney, Toyota, 2008 Owner Points – 32nd.
33. (66) Scott Riggs, Chevrolet, 2008 Owner Points – 33rd.
34. (84) Mike Skinner, Toyota, 2008 Owner Points – 34th.
35. (7) Robby Gordon, Dodge, 2008 Owner Points – 35th.
36. (77) Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge, Past Owner Winner – 2007.
37. (21) Bill Elliott, Ford, Past Champion – 1988.
38. (00) A.J. Allmendinger, Toyota, 30 Owner Attempts – 36th.
39. (96) Ken Schrader, Toyota, 30 Owner Attempts – 38th.
40. (10) Mike Wallace, Dodge, 30 Owner Attempts – 39th.
41. (45) Chad McCumbee, Dodge, 30 Owner Attempts – 40th.
42. (78) Joe Nemechek, Chevrolet, 30 Owner Attempts – 41st.
43. (70) Tony Raines, Chevrolet, 30 Owner Attempts – 43rd.
Failed to Qualify
44. (40) Bryan Clauson, Dodge, 17 Owner Attempts – 44th.
45. (75) Derrike Cope, Dodge, Qualifying Draw – 42nc.
46. (25) Brad Keselowski, Chevrolet, Qualifying Draw – 44th.
47. (82) Scott Speed, Toyota, Qualifying Draw – 46th.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
