Fontana qualifying: Johnson, Martin, Gordon in top 10

FONTANA, Calif. (Oct. 9, 2009) -- Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin, currently Hendrick Motorsport's top two contenders in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, earned top-10 spots during Friday's qualifying session at Auto Club Speedway. Johnson, who will pilot a specially-painted No. 48 Lowe's/Jimmie Johnson Foundation Chevrolet this weekend, scored the fourth slot. The defending Cup champion ranks second in the standings. Martin holds first in the championship standings and leads Johnson by 18 points. Martin will line up ninth in the No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet. Jeff Gordon also will roll off the grid 10th in his No. 24 DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet. He ranks seventh in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, will start 38th.