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Johnson Grabs Daytona 500 Pole

Michael Waltrip, looking to rebound from tough '07, starts up front as well

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 11, 2008 4:57 AM CST
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(Newser) – Jimmie Johnson's quest for a third straight Sprint Cup points title will begin from the pole position at next week's Super Bowl of NASCAR, after he finished first in yesterday's qualifier for the Daytona 500. Michael Waltrip, whose Toyota team was caught cheating during the qualifying session last year, will sit in the other first-row position, reports AP.

"I'm still very emotional but for obviously very drastically different reasons," said two-time 500 winner Waltrip. The remainder of the starting field will be determined in two qualifying races on Thursday. Expectations are high for Hendrick Motorsports, which already had Johnson and past points winner Jeff Gordon, and this season added Dale Earnhardt Jr., winner of the Bud shootout.

The crew of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson moves his car off the speedway after he qualified for the pole position in the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. Johnson qualified with a speed of 187.075mph. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The crew of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson moves his car off the speedway after he qualified for the pole position in the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.,...   (Associated Press)
NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon climbs out of his car after his qualifying attempt for the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon climbs out of his car after his qualifying attempt for the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/John...   (Associated Press)
NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip, right, signs autographs and shakes hands with fans after he officially won the No. 2 starting position in the Daytona 500 auto race after qualifying at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. Waltrip qualified with a speed of 186.734mph. (AP...
NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip, right, signs autographs and shakes hands with fans after he officially won the No. 2 starting position in the Daytona 500 auto race after qualifying at Daytona International...   (Associated Press)
NASCAR driver Joe Nemechek watches the leaderboard after his qualifying run for the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. Nemechek qualified third-fastest with a speed of 186.498mph. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NASCAR driver Joe Nemechek watches the leaderboard after his qualifying run for the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. Nemechek qualified...   (Associated Press)
NASCAR drivers Michael Waltrip and Jimmie Johnson, right, pose for photos with the Front Row trophies Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, after they finished Daytona 500 auto racing qualifications with the top speeds in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
NASCAR drivers Michael Waltrip and Jimmie Johnson, right, pose for photos with the Front Row trophies Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, after they finished Daytona 500 auto racing qualifications with the top speeds...   (Associated Press)
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