Newman captured his seventh career pole at the track when he knocked Johnson off the top spot with a speed of 189.394 mph in qualifying Thursday night.

Johnson, who has won five of the past 12 races at LMS, will start second after a lap of 188.990 for Saturday night’s race, which marks the halfway point in the Chase for the Nextel Cup championship.

Bobby Labonte qualified third, followed by points leader Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne and Jamie McMurray.

Newman, who also won the pole for the May race at LMS, went out three drivers after Johnson’s lap. With Johnson watching from pit road, Newman beat his speed on the first of two laps.

More at msnbc.com

STARTING LINEUP

Bookmark to: