Jimmie Johnson snags pole for Ford 400 at Homestead
Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson notched his fourth pole of the season Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. // David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Don’t accuse Jimmie Johnson of coasting to the NASCAR Sprint Cup title.
Johnson, who needs to finish just 25th or better in Sunday’s Ford 400 to wrap up a series record fourth straight crown, took the pole position in qualifying Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Johnson turned a lap of 173.919 mph in his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to beat out Red Bull Racing’s Scott Speed (172.695) and JTG Daugherty Racing’s Marcos Ambrose (172.678)
Hendrick’s Mark Martin and Richard Childress Racing’s Kevin Harvick rounded out the top five.
Martin enters the race 108 points behind Johnson in the standings and is the only driver with a mathematical chance of catching the points leader.
"Today is behind us, we did a good job, we are going to have a great starting spot," said Johnson, who scored his fourth pole of the season. "Tomorrow we will focus on the challenges of tomorrow and save all that worrying for Sunday and see what happens."
Positions six through 10 belonged to Stewart-Haas Racing’s Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, Roush Fenway Racing’s Greg Biffle, Wood Brothers Racing’s Bill Elliott and RCR’s Clint Bowyer.
Chase For The Sprint Cup drivers not among the top 10 were Penske Racing’s Kurt Busch (12th), Hendrick’s Jeff Gordon (20th), Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s Juan Pablo Montoya (23rd), Roush Fenway’s Carl Edwards (24th), Richard Petty Motorsports’ Kasey Kahne (25th), Red Bull Racing’s Brian Vickers (33rd) and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin (38th).
There were three accidents in the session as RPM’s Reed Sorenson, TRG Motorsports’ Mike Skinner and Phoenix Racing’s David Stremme all spun.
Germain Racing’s Max Papis also brushed the wall.
Failing to make the race were Nemco Motorsports’ Joe Nemechek, Prism Motorsports’ Dave Blaney, Skinner, Papis and Stremme.
On-track activities for the Sprint Cup Series resume with practice at 1:30 p.m. EST Saturday.
