NASCAR » Cup - Talladega - Qualifying times

05 May 2012
Jeff Gordon claimed pole position for Sunday afternoon's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, the Hendrick driver just edging out Penske's AJ Allemdinger.
Jeff Gordon claimed pole position for this week's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Aaron's 499, with a late qualifying run at the 2.666 mile tri-oval Talladega Superspeedway.

His lap of 49.973s (191.624mph) was 0.134s faster than his nearest rival for pole, Penske's AJ Allmendinger. It's Gordon's 71st pole out of 663 series starts. His last pole position came exactly a year ago at Talladega, and is Gordon's third pole in total at Talladega in 39 races on the superspeedway.

This latest pole position also means that Gordon has now won at least one pole position every year for the last 20 seasons, tying David Pearson for the longest
streak all-time. His first pole came in 1993 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

AJ Allmendinger starts in the top ten for the fourth time so far in 2012, while Marcos Ambrose will have this third top-ten start this season, and his first-ever top ten grid position at Talladega.

On Friday, Richard Petty Motorsports' Aric Almirola set the fastest times in both of the two crash-free practice sessions of the day. His best time was 48.079s (199.172mph) in the morning session that was two-tenths faster than Michael Waltrip, while in the afternoon his leading time of 48.677s (196.725mph) was just one hundredth of a second faster than Matt Kenseth.

Qualifying times

1. #24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 49.973s (Leader) 191.624mph
2. #22 AJ Allmendinger Dodge 50.107s (-0.134) 191.111mph
3. #9 Marcos Ambrose Ford 50.126s (-0.153) 191.039mph
4. #43 Aric Almirola Ford 50.141s (-0.168) 190.981mph
5. #5 Kasey Kahne Chevrolet 50.196s (-0.223) 190.772mph
6. #99 Carl Edwards Ford 50.245s (-0.272) 190.586mph
7. #16 Greg Biffle Ford 50.245s (-0.272) 190.586mph
8. #14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet 50.274s (-0.301) 190.476mph
9. #55 Michael Waltrip Toyota 50.335s (-0.362) 190.245mph
10. #17 Matt Kenseth Ford 50.347s (-0.374) 190.200mph
11. #21 Trevor Bayne Ford 50.355s (-0.382) 190.170mph
12. #42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet 50.363s (-0.390) 190.140mph
13. #2 Brad Keselowski Dodge 50.381s (-0.408) 190.072mph
14. #39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet 50.383s (-0.410) 190.064mph
15. #26 Josh Wise* Ford 50.411s (-0.438) 189.958mph
16. #56 Martin Truex Jr. Toyota 50.411s (-0.438) 189.958mph
17. #27 Paul Menard Chevrolet 50.425s (-0.452) 189.906mph
18. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet 50.436s (-0.463) 189.864mph
19. #48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 50.454s (-0.481) 189.797mph
20. #29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 50.457s (-0.484) 189.785mph
21. #18 Kyle Busch Toyota 50.482s (-0.509) 189.691mph
22. #11 Denny Hamlin Toyota 50.485s (-0.512) 189.680mph
23. #1 Jamie McMurray Chevrolet 50.506s (-0.533) 189.601mph
24. #15 Clint Bowyer Toyota 50.518s (-0.545) 189.556mph
25. #13 Casey Mears Ford 50.539s (-0.566) 189.477mph
26. #38 David Gilliland Ford 50.572s (-0.599) 189.354mph
27. #30 David Stremme Toyota 50.578s (-0.605) 189.331mph
28. #32 Terry Labonte Ford 50.618s (-0.645) 189.182mph
29. #31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet 50.640s (-0.667) 189.100mph
30. #20 Joey Logano Toyota 50.647s (-0.674) 189.073mph
31. #78 Regan Smith Chevrolet 50.653s (-0.680) 189.051mph
32. #34 David Ragan Ford 50.661s (-0.688) 189.021mph
33. #51 Kurt Busch Chevrolet 50.671s (-0.698) 188.984mph
34. #10 David Reutimann Chevrolet 50.693s (-0.720) 188.902mph
35. #98 Michael McDowell Ford 50.766s (-0.793) 188.630mph
36. #97 Bill Elliott Toyota 50.890s (-0.917) 188.171mph
37. #87 Joe Nemechek Toyota 50.933s (-0.960) 188.012mph
38. #36 Dave Blaney Chevrolet 51.038s (-1.065) 187.625mph
39. #23 Robert Richardson Jr. Toyota 51.288s (-1.315) 186.710mph
40. #33 Tony Raines Chevrolet 51.338s (-1.365) 186.529mph
41. #83 Landon Cassill Toyota 51.403s (-1.430) 186.293mph
42. #93 Travis Kvapil + Toyota 51.427s (-1.454) 186.206mph
43. #47 Bobby Labonte + Toyota 51.542s (-1.569) 185.790mph

Did not qualify

44. #249 J.J. Yeley Toyota 51.402s (-1.429) 186.296mph

Practice 2

1. #43 Aric Almirola Ford 48.677s (Leader) 196.725 mph
2. #17 Matt Kenseth Ford 48.687s (-0.010) 196.685 mph
3. #16 Greg Biffle Ford 48.831s (-0.154) 196.105 mph
4. #11 Denny Hamlin Toyota 48.934s (-0.257) 195.692 mph
5. #78 Regan Smith Chevrolet 48.952s (-0.275) 195.620 mph
6. #38 David Gilliland Ford 49.037s (-0.360) 195.281 mph
7. #20 Joey Logano Toyota 49.078s (-0.401) 195.118 mph
8. #9 Marcos Ambrose Ford 49.094s (-0.417) 195.054 mph
9. #18 Kyle Busch Toyota 49.172s (-0.495) 194.745 mph
10. #15 Clint Bowyer Toyota 49.224s (-0.547) 194.539 mph
11. #24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 49.382s (-0.705) 193.917 mph
12. #55 Michael Waltrip Toyota 49.438s (-0.761) 193.697 mph
13. #10 David Reutimann Chevrolet 50.210s (-1.533) 190.719 mph
14. #99 Carl Edwards Ford 50.248s (-1.571) 190.575 mph
15. #21 Trevor Bayne Ford 50.281s (-1.604) 190.450 mph
16. #22 AJ Allmendinger Dodge 50.417s (-1.740) 189.936 mph
17. #36 Dave Blaney Chevrolet 50.470s (-1.793) 189.736 mph
18. #26 Josh Wise* Ford 50.528s (-1.851) 189.519 mph
19. #30 David Stremme Toyota 50.528s (-1.851) 189.519 mph
20. #2 Brad Keselowski Dodge 50.635s (-1.958) 189.118 mph
21. #13 Casey Mears Ford 50.679s (-2.002) 188.954 mph
22. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet 50.708s (-2.031) 188.846 mph
23. #32 Terry Labonte Ford 50.787s (-2.110) 188.552 mph
24. #48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 50.809s (-2.132) 188.471 mph
25. #34 David Ragan Ford 50.865s (-2.188) 188.263 mph
26. #98 Michael McDowell Ford 50.930s (-2.253) 188.023 mph
27. #97 Bill Elliott Toyota 51.136s (-2.459) 187.265 mph
28. #87 Joe Nemechek Toyota 51.203s (-2.526) 187.020 mph
29. #33 Tony Raines Chevrolet 51.378s (-2.701) 186.383 mph
30. #47 Bobby Labonte Toyota 51.443s (-2.766) 186.148 mph
31. #93 Travis Kvapil Toyota 51.504s (-2.827) 185.927 mph
32. #249 J.J. Yeley Toyota 51.550s (-2.873) 185.761 mph
33. #23 Robert Richardson Jr. Toyota 51.701s (-3.024) 185.219 mph
34. #83 Landon Cassill Toyota 51.732s (-3.055) 185.108 mph
35. #1 Jamie McMurray Chevrolet
36. #31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet
37. #14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet
38. #56 Martin Truex Jr. Toyota
39. #51 Kurt Busch Chevrolet
40. #5 Kasey Kahne Chevrolet
41. #42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet
42. #39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet
43. #27 Paul Menard Chevrolet
44. #29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet

Practice 1

1. #43 Aric Almirola Ford 48.079s (Leader) 199.172 mph
2. #55 Michael Waltrip Toyota 48.280s (-0.201) 198.343 mph
3. #17 Matt Kenseth Ford 48.367s (-0.288) 197.986 mph
4. #24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 48.402s (-0.323) 197.843 mph
5. #29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 48.431s (-0.352) 197.725 mph
6. #2 Brad Keselowski Dodge 48.456s (-0.377) 197.623 mph
7. #13 Casey Mears Ford 48.499s (-0.420) 197.447 mph
8. #39 Ryan Newman Chevrolet 48.557s (-0.478) 197.212 mph
9. #31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet 48.561s (-0.482) 197.195 mph
10. #27 Paul Menard Chevrolet 48.572s (-0.493) 197.151 mph
11. #34 David Ragan Ford 48.583s (-0.504) 197.106 mph
12. #14 Tony Stewart Chevrolet 48.601s (-0.522) 197.033 mph
13. #11 Denny Hamlin Toyota 48.647s (-0.568) 196.847 mph
14. #18 Kyle Busch Toyota 48.651s (-0.572) 196.831 mph
15. #99 Carl Edwards Ford 48.686s (-0.607) 196.689 mph
16. #20 Joey Logano Toyota 48.701s (-0.622) 196.628 mph
17. #56 Martin Truex Jr. Toyota 48.755s (-0.676) 196.411 mph
18. #51 Kurt Busch Chevrolet 48.788s (-0.709) 196.278 mph
19. #9 Marcos Ambrose Ford 48.794s (-0.715) 196.254 mph
20. #5 Kasey Kahne Chevrolet 48.885s (-0.806) 195.888 mph
21. #42 Juan Montoya Chevrolet 48.899s (-0.820) 195.832 mph
22. #15 Clint Bowyer Toyota 48.947s (-0.868) 195.640 mph
23. #78 Regan Smith Chevrolet 49.001s (-0.922) 195.425 mph
24. #16 Greg Biffle Ford 49.043s (-0.964) 195.257 mph
25. #1 Jamie McMurray Chevrolet 49.065s (-0.986) 195.170 mph
26. #22 AJ Allmendinger Dodge 49.140s (-1.061) 194.872 mph
27. #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet 49.173s (-1.094) 194.741 mph
28. #32 Terry Labonte Ford 50.239s (-2.160) 190.609 mph
29. #21 Trevor Bayne Ford 50.358s (-2.279) 190.158 mph
30. #48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 50.448s (-2.369) 189.819 mph
31. #38 David Gilliland Ford 50.615s (-2.536) 189.193 mph
32. #26 Josh Wise* Ford 50.706s (-2.627) 188.853 mph
33. #30 David Stremme Toyota 50.863s (-2.784) 188.270 mph
34. #47 Bobby Labonte Toyota 50.926s (-2.847) 188.038 mph
35. #97 Bill Elliott Toyota 51.031s (-2.952) 187.651 mph
36. #10 David Reutimann Chevrolet 51.150s (-3.071) 187.214 mph
37. #87 Joe Nemechek Toyota 51.237s (-3.158) 186.896 mph
38. #249 J.J. Yeley Toyota 51.600s (-3.521) 185.581 mph
39. #23 Robert Richardson Jr. Toyota 51.616s (-3.537) 185.524 mph
40. #83 Landon Cassill Toyota 51.648s (-3.569) 185.409 mph
41. #98 Michael McDowell Ford 51.758s (-3.679) 185.015 mph
42. #36 Dave Blaney Chevrolet 51.818s (-3.739) 184.801 mph
43. #93 Travis Kvapil Toyota 51.975s (-3.896) 184.242 mph
44. #33 Tony Raines Chevrolet 52.154s (-4.075) 183.610 mph

+ Set by Owner Points
* Denotes Rookie

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Related Pictures

#24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet driven by Jeff Gordon (Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 Haas Automation Chevrolet, and Clint Bowyer, driver of the #15 Peak Toyota, are involved in an incident after Kurt Busch, driver of the #78 Furniture Row / Beautyrest Chevrolet, flipped during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron`s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
David Ragan, driver of the #34 Farm Rich Ford, wins NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron`s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
David Ragan, driver of the #34 Farm Rich Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron`s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
David Ragan, driver of the #34 Farm Rich Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron`s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, leads the field under stormy skies during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron`s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Having triggered the 14-car `Big One` on lap 44, Kyle Busch (#18) and Kasey Kahne (#5) are at the top of picture against the wall along with Casey Mears (#13) while Jamie McMurray (#1) and Martn Truex Jr. (#56) take avoiding action in turn 1. (Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Greg Biffle, driver of the #16 3M Safety Ford, crashes into the wall while David Stremme (#30), Kevin Harvick (#29), Marcos Ambrose (#9) and Michael McDowell (#98) take avoiding action. (Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Brian Vickers replaces Denny Hamlin as driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron`s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama (Photo Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images)
Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Fastenal Ford, and Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota, lead the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron`s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 5, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Regan Smith, driver of the #7 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet, crosses the finish first ahead of Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Great Clips Chevrolet, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Discount Tire Ford, to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron`s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Jeffrey Earnhardt, driver of the #79 Fast Wax / Oath Keepers Ford, is involved in an incident in turn three during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron`s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Drew Hallowell/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Regan Smith, driver of the #7 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet, celebrates with his crew in victory lane after he won the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron`s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Regan Smith, driver of the #7 TaxSlayer.com Chevrolet, celebrates with his crew in victory lane after he won the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron`s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Danica Patrick, driver of the #34 AccuDoc Solutions / GoDaddy Chevrolet, pits after she suffered damage to her car during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron`s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Travis Pastrana, driver of the #60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, leads Trevor Bayne, driver of the #6 Cargill / Blackwell Angus Ford, during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron`s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images)
Travis Pastrana, driver of the #60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, leads the field during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron`s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 AdvoCare Chevrolet and Travis Pastrana, driver of the #60 Roush Fenway Racing Ford, lead the field at the start of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron`s 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo Credit: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

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