Johnson, Gordon, Busch Make Hendrick 1-2-3 at Richmond

Joining Johnson and Gordon at the head of the field will be another Hendrick teammate, Kyle Busch (21.543 sec., 125.331 mph).

Photo courtesy: rir.com

RICHMOND, Va. - Jimmie Johnson, laid down a scorching lap (21.378 sec., 126.298 mph) this evening at Richmond International Raceway during Fas Mart Pole Qualifying.

The El Cahon, California native was almost one mph faster than the next fastest driver.

Johnson, coming off a victory last week at California Speedway, will lead the field to the green flag for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 "Under the Lights" on Saturday evening.

Amazingly for a driver who has a series leading 5 wins this season, this is Johnson's first pole position of the 2007 season.

Starting from the outside of the front row will be Johnson's Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon (21.541 sec., 125.342 mph).

Joining them at the head of the field will be another Hendrick teammate, Kyle Busch (21.543 sec., 125.331 mph).

Rounding out the top 6 starting positions are Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards.

Pole-sitter Johnson commented: "It was a great lap. We were really good since we unloaded off the truck. We had a great run here in the spring. We've been looking forward to coming back here to Richmond this whole time. To be able to get that kind of lap, early, really says a lot about the car that we have. Maybe the track didn't change as much as everybody first thought it would. You would think that at the end of this (qualifying), that they'd have gotten faster. It was a great effort for the Lowe's Impala. We're proud of the work that this team has put into it. Momentum is a lot, especially when you have so many competitive teams and drivers like we do. This Chase is going to be one of the best, or the best that we've ever had. There's a lot of guys peaking at the right time; a lot of tough competition, and I'm just happy to be hitting our stride right now too."

Local favorite, Denny Hamlin, of Chesterfield, Virginia, will start from the inside of row three.

He commented on the pressure he puts on himself to do well at Richmond: "It definitely would mean a lot. Right now this is where I want to win first, before anywhere else. I'll take a win anywhere else, but this is definitely the one accomplishment I'd love to have. Coming close last year, my very first Cup race here, kind of gave us a taste of what it's like. But we struggle with having bad luck here it seems like. We either run very, very strong: top two or three. Or we have something that kind of goes wrong mechanically. We try to prepare as much as we can to come to Richmond because I think my whole team knows how much it means for myself. It's the same for Tony (Stewart) at Indy or California for Jimmie (Johnson). So I think they put a little more pressure on themselves when they go to their home race track and I do the same."

South Boston, Virginia's Jeff Burton, in the #31 RCR Chevrolet, posted the 11th fastest time.

Unfortunately for the family, Jeff's brother, Ward, driving the #4 State Water Heaters / Miccosukee Resorts machine, failed to qualify.

Emporia, Virginia's Elliott Sadler will start from the 9th position.

Selected Quotes:

Denny Hamlin (starting 5th):

"Track position is going to be a really big deal. I really kind of gave up on that second lap. I didn't know it was going to be better. It's going to be a lot better than what we practiced. I think our car is really going to shine in race trim.

Kevin Harvick, (2005 race-winner, starting 13th):

"The second lap should have been a lot faster. I got up the hill a little going into turn three. All in all, it was a good lap for our Shell / Pennzoil Chevrolet. This place has been really good to us. We always seem to run really well here and race well. We raced really well in the May race and led a bunch of laps. We look forward to every time we come here."

Carl Edwards (starting 6th):

"I was pretty sure the first lap was going to be a good one. Jimmie (Johnson) ran a heck of a lap. That's amazing, the time he put up there. I'm excited about the race. We weren't really sure how we were going to run in qualifying. Hopefully that will hold up for a top 5 starting spot. This is the last race I have to just have a good time. I've got nothing to lose. I'm very excited about running tomorrow night."

Elliott Sadler (starting 9th):

"This is great for us. I'm not the best qualifier here at Richmond. It's pretty cool to get a top 10 starting position. My guys worked hard today on long runs so maybe we'll have something for them tomorrow night. I love racing at this place. We've got a lot of support from a lot of Virginia fans, especially from the south side of Virginia. To come here and race in front of my home-town crowd and get a good start, it really means a lot."

Ryan Newman (starting 4th):

"It felt pretty good. I never really slipped a whole lot. So I think I got a lot out of the race car. I didn't get (turns) 3 or 4 just quite right on the second lap. It was a good run for the alltel Dodge. It'll be a good starting spot, hopefully in the top 5. It'll give us something to work with on Saturday night."

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