TALLADEGA, Ala.—Sprint Cup Series veteran Jeff Gordon took to this season’s new qualifying format at Talladega Superspeedway like the four-time champion he his. Gordon and the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet SS will roll off the grid for Sunday’s race from the pole position. In his 24-year career, this is his 80th career pole.
“I’m so proud of this pole. We got the pole in Daytona, but this was a totally different format,” Gordon expressed. “It’s awesome for Hendrick Motorsports to be on the front row. This was all them."
Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. also made the second and final round of qualifying, leaving the group to all start within the top five.
Kahne and the No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet SS will take the green flag alongside Gordon in second, giving Hendrick Motorsports another front-row sweep this season.
“The Hendrick cars are really strong. The cars are running great,“ Kahne said. “I told Jeff I was coming to the front row. I knew I couldn’t beat him because he’s really quick, but I knew we could get up to second.”
Earnhardt, piloting the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS, and Johnson, competing in the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS, will round out the top five in fourth and fifth place, respectively.