HAMPTON, Ga. -- In a qualifying session that saw only 34 cars make it to the track for the first round, the Hendrick Motorsports drivers' fortunes were split.
Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr. both advanced to the final round of qualifying, setting themselves up for top-10 starts Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Earnhardt will take the green flag from the ninth position in the No. 88 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet SS and Kahne will roll off the grid just behind him in the No. 5 Farmers Insurance Chevrolet SS in 10th.
"We struggled in qualifying last year so we are really focusing on trying to improve that," Earnhardt said. "It was important that we got through tonight. I feel like we made some gains."
Meanwhile, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson were two of 13 drivers that did not make it onto the track to post qualifying times. After not passing pre-qualifying inspection during an initial attempt, Johnson was in line and Gordon was just getting into his car when time for the first round expired.
Their starting positions for Sunday were determined based on 2014 points, and Gordon will start 35th in the No. 24 3M Chevrolet SS while Johnson in the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet SS will start 37th.
Both drivers had the same reaction.
"First time ever. First time for everything, I guess," Gordon said to FOX Sports 1 after the first round concluded.