Six and Counting: Gordon Snags Pole at Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Aug. 27, 2004) - Jeff Gordon cemented his sixth pole of the 2004 season earlier today. The four-time NASCAR champion was the only NEXTEL Cup Series driver to qualify for Saturday night’s event with a lap time under 15 seconds. Driving the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet, Gordon toured the .533-mile concrete oval in 14.930 seconds at 128.520 mph for his 52nd career pole. Today’s success in time trials marked Gordon’s fourth pole at the high-banked short track and tomorrow night Team DuPont will be striving for their sixth win at the venue. Team Lowe’s Racing driver Jimmie Johnson qualified 11th on the grid alongside teammate Terry Labonte, who will start the No.5 Kellogg’s Chevrolet from 12th place. Rookie Brian Vickers will round out the top 20 in the No. 25 GMAC Financial Services Chevrolet. Saturday night’s event is scheduled to start at 7:50 p.m. (ET) and will be televised live by TNT, whose pre-race coverage begins at 7 p.m.