Jimmie Johnson captured the pole for Sunday’s Ford 400 Nextel Cup race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, the final event of 10 races which make up the Chase for the Nextel Cup. The pole win puts him in perfect position for a record-setting fifth straight win and second consecutive Nextel Cup championship.
If Johnson wins a fifth consecutive race he would not only clinch the title, but be the first driver in the modern era (1972 and later) to win five in a row. Seven drivers in the modern era have won four straight (Cale Yarborough - 1976, Darrell Waltrip - 1981, Dale Earnhardt - 1987, Harry Gant - 1991, Bill Elliott - 1992, Mark Martin - 1993 and Jeff Gordon - 1998). The all-time record was set in 1967 by Richard Petty with an amazing 10 consecutive wins.
The No.48 Lowe’s Chevrolet driver grabbed the top spot with a best lap of 30.545 seconds (176.788 m.p.h.). The pole victory was Johnson’s fourth of the season and 13th of his Cup career.
“I felt like we had a good car in practice today,” said Johnson. “Ryan (Newman) put up a solid number and I wasn’t sure we could get close to that. I felt like I had a good lap and luckily it was good on the clock too.”
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