Johnson, Waltrip Take Front Row For 50th Running Of The Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Jimmie Johnson, 2006 Daytona 500 winner and two-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, captured the pole for the 50th running of the Daytona 500 during Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger on Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.

Johnson, driving the No. 48 Lowe�s Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, earned his second career Daytona 500 pole with a speed of 187.075 mph. Johnson�s first career Daytona 500 pole came as a rookie in 2002.

Johnson�s Daytona 500 pole continues a successful weekend at DIS for Hendrick Motorsports.

Before taking the pole for �The Great American Race,� all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers competed in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona and finished in the top six with Johnson pushing Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the win.

"Last night we had a great race (with the Budweiser Shootout)," Johnson said. "But I'm looking forward to what this car can do in the 500. (The team has) been very committed and working hard. From the Shootout to today�s qualifying effort, we�ve been where we need to be.�

�It�s always neat to get down here and get a win,� car-owner Rick Hendrick said. �But the pole is something the guys work for all winter long. It�s just a good place to be.�

Two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip will roll his No. 55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota in the 50th running of the Daytona 500 from the outside pole. Waltrip turned a lap of 186.734 mph.

�It�s certainly something we�re very proud of,� Waltrip said. �We�ve worked very hard over the last three or four months. This is the best place ever in the whole world to qualify second, because hopefully when they show the pole-sitter, they show the front row and there will be a lot of pictures in newspapers across the country with the NAPA Toyota in them. I�m so deeply thankful that we were able to have a good day.�

For much of the day it looked as though �Front Row Joe� Nemechek, who is running a Hendrick Motorsports engine, would start on the front row at Daytona.

But late in qualifying, Waltrip bumped the No. 78 Furniture Row Chevrolet to third. Both Nemechek and Waltrip had to race their way into the 50th running of the Daytona 500 and are now guaranteed a spot due to their qualifying times.

Johnson and Waltrip have not only earned a front-row start for the Daytona 500, but also the pole positions for the Gatorade Duel at Daytona that will take place on Thursday, February 14th.

From DIS Public Relations