Gordon, Johnson to start in top six at Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Jeff Gordon missed his third consecutive pole position by just eight thousandths of a second.

His consolation -- a spot on the outside pole.

The No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet SS will roll off the grid in second place at Bristol Motor Speedway Saturday night thanks to Gordon's second-place performance during Friday evening's qualifying.

Jimmie Johnson will start next of the four Hendrick Motorsports drivers in sixth position, Kasey Kahne will open Saturday night's race in 12th place and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start 20th.

Below is a breakdown of the four Hendrick Motorsports drivers' performance during qualifying.

KASEY KAHNE, NO. 5 GREAT CLIPS CHEVROLET SS
Qualified: 12th
Best speed: 130.009 mph
Best time: 14.759 sec.
Average start at Bristol: 12.4

JEFF GORDON, NO. 24 DRIVE TO END HUNGER CHEVROLET SS
Qualified: 2nd
Best speed: 131.290 mph
Best time:  14.615 sec.
Average start at Bristol: 7.4

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS
Qualified: 6th
Best speed: 131.030 mph
Best time: 14.644 sec.
Average start at Bristol: 15.4

DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 DIET MOUNTAIN DEW CHEVROLET SS
Qualified: 20th
Best speed: 129.230 mph
Best time: 14.848 sec.
Average start at Bristol: 21.3