Rain Shelves Qualifying at Michigan

BROOKLYN, Mich. (Aug. 20, 2004) - Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon will start on the front row Sunday at Michigan International Speedway after NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series qualifying was rained out Friday. Set by owner points, the 43-car field will be led to the green flag by Johnson’s No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet. The El Cajon, Calif., native currently leads the NEXTEL Cup championship standings. Gordon, second in points, will line up as the outside pole-sitter in the No. 24 DuPont Chevy. The four-time champion will be followed by teammate Terry Labonte, who will start 21st in the No. 5 Kellogg’s/Delphi Monte Carlo. Driving the No. 25 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolet, rookie Brian Vickers will start 22nd. Thanks to the inclement weather, Kyle Busch was unable to qualify the No. 84 CARQUEST Chevy for the NEXTEL Cup event. He will next attempt a race on the circuit at California Speedway in September. Busch will start second in Saturday's NASCAR Busch Series contest in the No. 5 Lowe's/Gladiator Monte Carlo. Martin Truex Jr. will start from the pole after NBS qualifying was also rained out. Saturday’s on-track activities will proceed as scheduled, weather permitting. The first NEXTEL Cup practice will begin at 9:30 a.m. ET, followed by the final “Happy Hour” session at 11:10 a.m. ET. Sunday’s event is slated for a 2 p.m. ET green flag.