Road Rainout: Johnson to Start First at Watkins Glen

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (Aug. 13, 2004) – Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon will start on the front row Sunday at Watkins Glen International 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. He will be followed by Hendrick Motorsports teammates Terry Labonte, 20th, and Brian Vickers, 22nd. Labonte, driver of the No. 5 Kellogg’s Monte Carlo, will be making his 18th career start at the 2.45-mile road course, while Vickers, a rookie, will be making his first in the No. 25 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolet. 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 90-lap event is slated for a 2 p.m. ET green flag.