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Jimmie Johnson and his Hendrick Motorsports Chevy team shrugged off the Brickyard 400 disappointment as if it didn't happen.
The five-time Sprint Cup Champion ripped off a record-setting pole of 180.654 mph, or 49.819 seconds, at the 2.5 mile Pocono International Raceway after a number of return trips through the NASCAR pre-qualifying inspections.
“The wild thing though is I practiced at like a 51.15 and then to go out there and run a 49.80 the speed difference and the senses you have inside the car,” said Johnson. “I knew it was fast I just didn't know how fast. Each corner I made I tried a little bit harder and was more aggressive with my entry speed, my throttle application and just kind of challenging the car and it stuck.
“In some ways I think I could have gone a little quicker if I knew what that felt like and I'm sure a lot of guys are saying that in the garage area right now to be honest. It was an interesting lap because I threw everything I thought I could at it in turn one and it stuck. So then turn two try again, turn three try again and it made it all the way around that was pretty awesome.”
It was Johnson's fourth pole at the three-turn track, also known as the Tricky Triangle, and 31rst in his Sprint Cup career.
With a commanding 75-point lead, over Clint Bowyer, in the standings, the only thing which matters to Johnson is wins. When the points are reset, after Richmond, drivers get three points for wins in the first 26 races. Currently both Johnson and Matt Kenseth have four wins.
Kyle Busch was second, in a Toyota, at 180.639 mph and will start alongside Johnson on the front row.
Carl Edwards, in a Ford, qualified third, Ryan Newman, last week's pole winner and Brickyard 400 winner, was fourth. Kurt Busch was fifth.
Last week Johnson had dominated the Brickyard 400. But a lengthy final pit stop opened the door for Newman to take the win.
As only a five-time champ can do; Johnson told his crew, before qualifying, to forget about last weekend's misstep.
“I asked them also to be fearless when they hopped off the wall this weekend and just do their jobs,” Johnson said. “The worst thing any of us can do that have to go out and perform is to carry something in the back of your mind.”
Among other notable drivers, reigning Cup champion Brad Keselowski qualified 11th, Tony Stewart was 20th, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 25th and Danica Patrick qualified 34th in the 43-car field at 175.860 mph.
The five-time Sprint Cup Champion ripped off a record-setting pole of 180.654 mph, or 49.819 seconds, at the 2.5 mile Pocono International Raceway after a number of return trips through the NASCAR pre-qualifying inspections.
“The wild thing though is I practiced at like a 51.15 and then to go out there and run a 49.80 the speed difference and the senses you have inside the car,” said Johnson. “I knew it was fast I just didn't know how fast. Each corner I made I tried a little bit harder and was more aggressive with my entry speed, my throttle application and just kind of challenging the car and it stuck.
“In some ways I think I could have gone a little quicker if I knew what that felt like and I'm sure a lot of guys are saying that in the garage area right now to be honest. It was an interesting lap because I threw everything I thought I could at it in turn one and it stuck. So then turn two try again, turn three try again and it made it all the way around that was pretty awesome.”
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| Jimmie Johnson, Pocono International Raceway (Photo: HendrickMotorsports,com) |
It was Johnson's fourth pole at the three-turn track, also known as the Tricky Triangle, and 31rst in his Sprint Cup career.
With a commanding 75-point lead, over Clint Bowyer, in the standings, the only thing which matters to Johnson is wins. When the points are reset, after Richmond, drivers get three points for wins in the first 26 races. Currently both Johnson and Matt Kenseth have four wins.
Kyle Busch was second, in a Toyota, at 180.639 mph and will start alongside Johnson on the front row.
Carl Edwards, in a Ford, qualified third, Ryan Newman, last week's pole winner and Brickyard 400 winner, was fourth. Kurt Busch was fifth.
Last week Johnson had dominated the Brickyard 400. But a lengthy final pit stop opened the door for Newman to take the win.
As only a five-time champ can do; Johnson told his crew, before qualifying, to forget about last weekend's misstep.
“I asked them also to be fearless when they hopped off the wall this weekend and just do their jobs,” Johnson said. “The worst thing any of us can do that have to go out and perform is to carry something in the back of your mind.”
Among other notable drivers, reigning Cup champion Brad Keselowski qualified 11th, Tony Stewart was 20th, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 25th and Danica Patrick qualified 34th in the 43-car field at 175.860 mph.