Johnson, Martin Make Up Front Row in Charlotte

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) - Jimmie Johnson is returning to his dominant
ways at the perfect time. His latest accomplishment: the fastest
qualifying lap of the NASCAR season.
The three-time defending Sprint Cup champion and points leader
looked the part Thursday, earning the pole at Lowe's Motor Speedway
with a blistering lap of 192.376 mph.
Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet had the best grip in the rain-delayed
qualifying in unseasonably cool conditions.
Mark Martin, sitting second in points, will start second after a
lap of 191.816 mph. Kasey Kahne qualified third, followed by Matt
Kenseth and Tony Stewart.
Johnson took the points lead for the first time this season
after winning Sunday at California. It was clear from the practice
session Thursday that Johnson had the best car.
"We've still got 500 miles to run," Johnson said. "I think if
we can lead a lot of laps, win the race, something along those
lines will send a statement."
Qualifying was pushed back two hours because of intermittent
rain. Sprint Cup teams didn't hit the track for practice until
after dark, when Johnson dominated.
The cool conditions - the temperature dipped into the upper 40s
before qualifying was over - led to the fastest times at any track
this season.
The previous fastest lap was 190.907 by Dale Earnhardt Jr. at
Texas. There were 29 drivers that bested Ryan Newman's pole speed
of 188.475 mph from the May race at LMS.
Johnson, going out 11th of 47 cars, quickly showed he was the
class of the field, coming close to the track record of 193.216 set
by Elliott Sadler in 2005.
"Man, it's fast," Johnson said. "Whatever is going on with
the tire combination right now and the track, there is a ton of
grip."
Martin, going out 25th, came the closest to his teammate. He'll
be on the front row Saturday sitting 12 points behind Johnson in
the fifth of the 10 season-ending Chase races.
"An enormous amount of that speed was the track conditions,"
Martin said. "Surprisingly, it was really fast, grippy, for no
rubber. Sometimes this place needs rubber to get better. I think
it's going to be great."
Juan Pablo Montoya, sitting third in points, 58 behind Johnson,
qualified 18th. Stewart, moving up the standings in the past couple
weeks, is 84 points behind and has a good starting position.
"We're really happy with that," Stewart said.
Jeff Gordon qualified ninth and Kurt Busch 15th. The worst
starting spot for a Chase driver is 30th for Brian Vickers.
The field figures to have trouble catching Johnson, who
dominated at the this track from 2003-05, winning four straight
times. But Johnson hasn't won since the suburban Charlotte track
was repaved in 2006.
With the weather expected to stay cold Saturday, Johnson is
bracing for fast speeds.
"It has the potential to be a much faster pace than we normally
see," Johnson said. "My only fear is that the faster we go the
narrower the racing line becomes and we could see more of a
single-groove race track. That's the only downfall."
Newman qualified sixth, followed by Mike Bliss and Brad
Keselowski, who both entered needing to qualify on time.
Sterling Marlin, Michael McDowell, Dave Blaney and Travis Kvapil
failed to qualify.