Johnson Sets Track Record at Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Oct. 3, 2003) – Jimmie Johnson sped to his second pole position of the year on Friday, breaking the track record at Kansas Speedway during Banquet 400 time trials. Driving the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, Johnson posted a lap of 180.373 mph, shattering the previous record of 177.924 mph set by Dale Earnhardt Jr. last season. “I'm very proud of my race team and of that lap,” said Johnson, who now has two front-row starts at Kansas in as many races. “There are a lot of benefits to qualifying well. Track position is very important. “I didn't think we'd go this fast. I'm really happy with the engine shop at Hendrick Motorsports and the bodies and everything that goes into it.” The performance marked Johnson’s sixth pole position in just 69 career NASCAR Winston Cup Series races. Piloting the No. 24 DuPont Chevy, Jeff Gordon will start seventh on Sunday, marking his 21st top-10 start of the 2003 season. In the No. 25 UAW-Delphi Chevy, Joe Nemechek will start 30th, followed by Terry Labonte, driver of the No. 5 Kellogg’s / got milk? Monte Carlo, in 34th. Sunday’s Banquet 400 will be broadcast live from Kansas Speedway beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC and MRN Radio.