Jeff Gordon won the Bud Pole for the Checker Auto Parts 500 presented by Pennzoil, lapping Phoenix International Raceway in 26.773 seconds at 134.464 mph. Ryan Newman holds the track-qualifying record of 26.499 seconds, 135.854 mph – set Nov. 5, 2004.
This is Gordons 56th career Bud Pole in 472 Nextel Cup Series races. He moved into sole possession of sixth on the all-time Bud Pole winners list, breaking a tie with Bill Elliott.
This is his second Bud Pole and 17th top-10 start in 2006. He became the eighth repeat Bud Pole winner this season.
This is Gordons second Bud Pole and ninth top-10 start in 16 Nextel Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.
Kevin Harvick posted the second-quickest qualifying lap of 26.871 seconds, 133.973 mph and will join Gordon on the front row for the Checker Auto Parts 500. Harvick posted his fourth top-10 start in eight races at Phoenix and his 14th top-10 start in 2006.
This is the 13th Bud Pole for Chevrolet in 2006. Dodge has 15 Bud Poles and Ford has six. Qualifying was canceled at the first Bristol and second Atlanta races.
Brian Vickers (third) has posted five top-10 starts in six races at Phoenix and has not started worse than 14th here.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (fourth) has posted just two top-10 starts in his nine Phoenix races. This is his 150th race without a Bud Pole.
Joe Nemechek (fifth) has posted just four top-10 starts in 15 races at Phoenix.
Michael Waltrip (19th) was the fastest of the drivers required to qualify on time.
Brandon Whitt (37th) qualified for his career-first Nextel Cup race and will be the 77th different driver to compete in at least one Nextel Cup race this season.
Bill Elliott used a past champions provisional to make the field the second consecutive week that the past champion provisional had been employed. Terry Labonte used it in Texas.(NASCAR Statisical Services)(11-10-2006)
