Johnson will start from pole for Sunday’s Ford 400 race after he managed to record the fastest lap time at 31.049s (173.919 mph). Jimmie Johnson’s top finish in qualifying, fourth of the season, his second at Homestead and the 23rd of his career, will more than likely bring him this year’s NASCAR Sprint Series title as he only needs a 25th place or better finish to get the job done.
"I'm definitely excited for the track position and [the choice of] that first pit stall," Johnson said. "One thing that you probably might know is how difficult pit road is here, with the sun setting, to find your pit box, or even see the parameters of your pit box,” explained Johnson on NASCAR’s official website.
Second place was secured by Red Bull rookie Scott Speed, who managed a lap time of 31.269s (172.695 mph). Hendrick Motorsports team-mate and title contender Mark Martin finished fourth, but surprisingly his early lap time recorded when the track conditions weren’t at their best, stood first for most of the qualifying session.
Marcos Ambrose placed third on a Toyota, with Tony Stewart fifth, Kevin Harvick sixth and Ryan Newman seventh, all on Chevys. Juan Pablo Montoya and Carl Edwards couldn’t find their pace up with the top of the grid as they’ve placed 23rd and 24th respectively.
With the last race of the season in sights, rookie Scott Speed said he’ll look for a consistent run, but ended on an amusing note: "I think the thing we all fear most is being the idiot who takes out the 48 [Johnson] and ends the four-championship streak."
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