Points Leader Starts Up Front

Kurt Busch has a good shot at earning five bonus points for leading a lap on Sunday. He drew the very last qualifying spot out of the 56 entries and put it on the pole. If he holds on to lead the first lap his point lead will jump from the current 18 points up to 23. That doesn't sound like much but it is one more finishing position on the track. Every little bit counts.

Jimmie Johnson had trouble in his qualifying lap and will take the first provisional. He will start 39th on Sunday. This could potentially be a blow to his title hopes.

Third place Jeff Gordon, just 21 points back coming into Sunday's race will start fifth.

The two guys with an outside shot at the title, Dale Earnhardt Junior and Mark Martin will start 16th and 11th respectively.

NASCAR Online has the official starting linup for Sunday's race.