Gordon gets seventh career Martinsville pole
Quote selected text Published March 28th, 2008 in NASCAR News
Seven-time Martinsville winner Jeff Gordon captured the pole for Sunday afternoon’s Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at the famed Martinsville Speedway. The No.24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driver circled the 0.526-mile short track in 19.666 seconds (96.288 m.p.h.).
The pole victory was Gordon’s second of the season, seventh at Martinsville and 65th of his Sprint Cup career. He is just five pole wins behind Cale Yarborough for third all-time.
“That was two of the best corners I’ve probably ever put together all at one time,” said Gordon. “You have got to be aggressive, but yet you can’t over do it…that’s a fine line…you are right on the edge of it at all times.”
Starting alongside Gordon will be Denny Hamlin who posted a time of 19.775 seconds.
Row two will consist of youngster Aric Almirola (19.780) and David Ragan (19.814).
Other drivers of note and their starting positions: Kasey Kahne (sixth), points leader Kyle Busch (eighth), Tony Stewart (ninth), defending Goody’s Cool Orange 500 winner Jimmie Johnson (10th), Kevin Harvick (11th), Clint Bowyer (12th) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (22nd).
It will be the second consecutive short track race for the Sprint Cup Series and a great place for floundering Hendrick Motorsports, the dominant force in 2007, to get back to its former level.
Last year’s Goody’s Cool Orange 500 was an all-Hendrick affair with Johnson edging teammate Gordon for the win. Former HMS driver Busch finished fourth. In the October event, Johnson won again, beating Ryan Newman, Gordon and Busch to the checkered flag.
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Gooooo 24—where’ssssss 88?????
luv24car wrote:
He’s just letting someone else have the spotlight lol.
ohhhhh yea!!!:D getting back on track!;) woohoo!!!!! LETS GO #24 we got this!!
luv24car wrote:
Big deal the pole winner hardly ever wins the race.
hahahaha this is funny…all these gordon fans getting excited…ITS MARTINSVILLE…come on give me a break…if gordon doesnt win/get the pole its an upset….dont get to cocky he is always good there so it doesnt mean they are “back on track”…everyone said the same thing about Dale Jr winning the shootout/duel b/c it was daytona..he is always good there…and look what hes done after that….Johnson will win at MV again b4 gordon does
Lee88-20 wrote:
Ummm… Isn’t Jeff 7 for 7 at Martinsiville when he starts on the pole.
At Big tracks getting the Pole doesn’t really mean anything, but at short tracks and road courses winning the pole gives you the best shot to win the race (especially when you’re racing towards rain like they are today)
Gordon finished in front of jimmie acutally!!! and anytime Gordon gets on the pole we are happy not just because its at Martinsville.