Two-time defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson won the pole for Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, giving him the top starting spot in a race that has consistently vexed him.
Johnson ran a lap at 181.763 mph in his Chevrolet to beat Mark Martin, who guaranteed in June that he’d win Sunday’s race. Martin’s lap was 181.393 in a Chevy.
Ryan Newman qualified third and was followed by Kasey Kahne and four-time Brickyard winner Jeff Gordon.
STARTING LINEUP:
- Jimmie Johnson wins pole at Richmond
- Brickyard/Allstate 400 smallest ever
- Newman wins 7th career Charlotte pole
- Nextel Cup Top 12 and beyond heading into Indy
- Johnson shows no signs of letting up: Pole at Homestead
Jimmie has been very quiet this season! Good job Jimmie!
F— JIMMY
He’s the HMS driver on a roll now. Do not be surprised if he wins it. Martin is probably the sentimental favorite to win it.
gigolo george wrote:
Not to me “Mark needs to retire”
George Thompson wrote:
He did like 3 years ago….
Maybe at his ‘old’ age he is just having a hard time finding the big red sign that says EXIT
l0l
I agree that Martin stayed past his prime because those fat paychecks are hard to walk away from. He’s never won the Daytona 500 and I don’t really see him winning the Brickyard either. He’s the greatest driver in series history not to win the championship or either of it’s two most prestigious races. That’s why he’s the sentimental favorite. Martin betrayed everyone with his first retirement after the 2005 season. We were scammed into buying his merchandise. Then there was the second retirement tour in 2006. As I’ve said here previously, he rivals Cher when it comes to farewell tours.