Johnson To Defend Title, Points Lead From Pole

Defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson sent a huge message to teammate Jeff Gordon Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. That message was, "if you're going to beat me, you're going to have to pass me to do it.''

Johnson, who owns an 86-point lead over Jeff Gordon in the race for a championship, won his fourth pole of the season after turning a lap of 176.788 mph to grab the pole for Sunday's season finale, the Ford 400.

Johnson was the only Chevrolet in a top-5 that was filled with Dodges. Ryan Newman qualified second and was followed by Kasey Kahne, Ford and Chase driver Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch.

"It has been a great season for Penske and the No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge. To have a good season, to lead laps and get bonus points, as many as Championship point leader Jimmie Johnson, and to have two wins we can consider this a successful season,'' said Busch. "But when you compare it to the likes of Jimmie and Jeff it actually is nothing to open your left eye for when the alarm clock goes off. It has been a really incredible season to watch the 48 and the 24.''

Mark Martin qualified sixth and was followed by Roush Fenway Racing rookie David Ragan and Chasers Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards.

"We got a really good draw there, but we've got a really good car. It's good,'' said Edwards. "Hopefully, that'll be a top-10 and we'll just go on and run really well in the race."

Jeff Gordon will roll off 11th in his quest to erase Johnson's 86-point lead and reel in his fifth championship.

As for the other Chasers' qualifying efforts, Tony Stewart will roll off 14th, just ahead of Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch will start 18th, just next to Clint Bowyer. Denny Hamlin will start 32nd.

Toping those drivers who were in the position of qualifying or going home was Sterling Marlin, who qualified 16th in the No. 109 Chevrolet of James Finch, and just behind him was the Toyota of Brian Vickers.

Johnny Benson managed to get Bill Davis' No. 36 Toyota in the race by qualifying 20th and Dale Jarrett got his No. 44 Toyota in the season finale by earning the No. 26 starting spot.

Patrick Carpentier, a newcomer in the No. 10 Dodge, qualified 28th and starting right behind him will be Sam Hornish Jr., in the No. 06 Dodge of Penske Racing. David Reutimann managed to get his No. 00 Toyota in the event (35th) and Bill Elliott used his fourth previous champion's provisional to get the Wood Brothers' No. 21 Ford the No. 43 starting spot.

The Wood Brothers are battled Bill Davis No. 22 and James Rocco's No. 10 for that coveted No. 35 spot in owner points, which would lock them in the first five races of next season.

Failing to qualify for the race was AJ Allmendinger, John Andretti, Joe Nemechek, Michael Waltrip, Todd Bodine and Burney Lamar.

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