Dover qualifying canceled because of rain; Johnson on pole

Dover qualifying canceled because of rain; Johnson on pole

By Reid Spencer

Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

(May 14, 2011)

DOVER , Del. —Five-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson doesn't need a lot of help at Dover International Speedway, but he'll take it.

 As the fastest driver in Friday's Cup practice sessions, Johnson, a six-time winner at Dover , will start from the pole in Sunday's FedEx 400, after rain forced cancellation of Saturday's qualifying session at the one-mile concrete track.

 Johnson will start from the top spot for the fifth time, having won three prior poles in time trials and one on owner points because of a rainout in 2005. NASCAR changed the rainout rules this season, with the starting lineup now determined by practice speeds rather than owner points in the event of a cancellation.

 AJ Allmendinger will start beside Johnson on the outside of the front row. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start third on the grid beside Kasey Kahne in fourth, with Joey Logano and Kurt Busch filling the third row in fifth and sixth places, respectively.

 Johnson and Allmendinger have raced each other hard in recent weeks, particularly at Darlington last Saturday, but Johnson, who has lane choice for the start, is far more interested in who wins leads the last lap, rather than the first one.

 "It's not the first lap, it's that 400th lap that you want," Johnson said. "You've just got to get the race started, and I think we're both in position with fast cars. The long run is really the key here, especially during the middle part of the race.

 "It is what it is. We'll get going and take off. … You really don't have that advantage as the leader to accelerate when you want. For the initial start, it's based on the flag and not on the driver. That first lap, it's great to get the point and lead and that kind of thing, but it's just not worth getting all charged up for."

 Allmendinger took the opportunity to kid Johnson about his comments.

 "So that's the political answer—right?" Allmendinger said. "See, my theory is, you lead a lot more laps than I do—in life—and I don't start up front a lot, so if I can lead a lap—or one or two or three—it looks good on my stats. So you're just going to let me have the start?"

 "I'm not going to let you have it—but go for it," Johnson replied.

 "OK, sounds good," rejoined Allmendinger.

 Notes: Despite posting the seventh fastest practice time, Kyle Busch will drop to the rear of the field for the start of Sunday's race because of an engine change during Friday's Cup practice. … Scott Riggs failed to make the 43-car field.