Jimmie Johnson kicked off Coronation Weekend today at Homestead-Miami Speedway by taking the Bud Pole for Sunday’s Ford 400 in a time of 30.545 sec (176.788 mph). This is his 4th top-spot of the season and 13th of his Nextel Cup career. And you just know if he’s got the lead at the end of lap one on Sunday, you’ll see those freshly adjusted point standings…. Ryan Newman will join Johnson on the front row. Mark Martin (6th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 4th at Chicagoland in July. David Ragan (7th) has his best starting spot since he timed in 4th at Bristol in August. Jeff Burton (9th) has his best starting spot since he qualified 4th at Watkins Glen in August. David Gilliland (12th) has his best starting spot since he had the outside pole at Talldega in April. Sterling Marlin (16th) has his best starting spot since he lined up 4th at Talladega in April. Johnny Benson (20th) has his best starting spot since he timed in 19th at Atlanta in October of 2005 (only three starts). STREAKIN….Jimmie Johnson has 15 Top-10 starts in the last 16 races. Kasey Kahne has 6 Top-10 starts in the last 7 races. A few numbers to remember….if Jeff Gordon wins the race and leads the most laps, Johnson’s Magic Number is 18th. But, if JJ leads a lap early (and having the pole makes that a pretty good possibility) that Magic Number changes to 19th.(Stock Car Fans)(11-16-2007)
