Jimmie Johnson becomes our fifth different pole winner in as many races (we got snowed out last week if you remember) today at Martinsville Speedway as he captured the Bud Pole for Sunday’s DIRECTV 500 with a speed of 96.736 mph (19.575 sec). This is career pole #10 for JJ.
Jamie McMurray will join Johnson on the front-row. This is his best starting spot since he had the pole at Pocono last July.
Sterling Marlin (6th….and with the pressure on) has his best starting spot since he timed in 3rd at Bristol in August of 2004.
Scott Riggs (11th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 7th at Talladega last October.
Tony Raines (12th) has his best starting spot since he qualified 4th at Rockingham in November of 2003! (only 14 races)
Ken Schrader (19th) has his best starting spot since he timed in 7th at Bristol last August.
Chad Chaffin (31st) has his career-best starting spot this weekend. His previous best was 35th at Phoenix last November (this is only his 4th career NEXTEL Cup start).
STREAKIN….Kurt Busch has 5 Top-10 starts in a row.
Greg Biffle has 8 Top-10 starts in the last 9 races.
Jimmie Johnson has 5 Top-10 starts in the last 6 races.(StockCarFans.com)(3-31-2006)
