Hendrick trio in top 13 during Charlotte qualifying

CONCORD, N.C. – Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin scored starting spots inside the top 13 during Thursday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying session at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will roll off the grid 25th for Sunday’s 600-mile event.

Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Summer Salute Chevrolet, earned the sixth-place starting spot for Sunday’s race. In his last 19 Cup starts at the 1.5-mile racetrack, Johnson has six wins – the most among active drivers, 10 top-five finishes and 14 top-10s. He has an average start of 7.6 and an average finish of 9.8. He picked up five of his victories when starting ninth or better.

Gordon locked up the 11th-place starting spot during Thursday night’s qualifying session. The driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet has five wins, 16 top-five finishes and 20 top-10s in 36 Cup starts at the 1.5-mile racetrack.

Martin will line up 13th on Sunday in his No. 5 CARQUEST Auto Parts/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet. In 52 Cup starts, Martin has four wins, 18 top-five finishes and 23 top-10s at Charlotte.

Earnhardt will start 25th in his No. 88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet on Sunday. In 23 starts, Earnhardt has five top-five finishes and nine top-10s at Charlotte.

Catch Sunday’s 600-mile event on FOX at 6 p.m. ET.