Johnson Qualifies Fifth at Kansas Speedway

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Oct. 8, 2004) – For the 12th time this season, Jimmie Johnson will start in the top five when the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series takes the green flag Sunday. Driving the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, Johnson posted the fourth-best lap in Friday’s time trials at Kansas Speedway with a qualifying attempt of 30.160 seconds (179.045 mph), leading Hendrick Motorsports at the 1.5-mile tri-oval. “It should be a great starting spot for this Lowe’s team,” Johnson said. “We need to get the momentum back for us. It’s been a rough couple of months for us and today would be a good day to get back in the right direction.” Terry Labonte will start 19th in the No. 5 Kellogg’s Chevy, followed by teammate Brian Vickers, who will start 25th in the No. 25 GMAC Financial Services Monte Carlo. Four-time champion Jeff Gordon will line up 30th in No. 24 DuPont Chevy, just ahead of 19-year-old Kyle Busch, making his fourth career NEXTEL Cup start. Busch qualified 34th in the No. 84 CARQUEST Chevrolet. Joe Nemechek picked up his second consecutive pole position, logging the fastest lap of the session at 29.974 seconds (180.156 mph).