Johnson Nips Newman For Pole At Lowe's Motor Speedway

Going out last of the 52 drivers, Johnson edged Ryan Newman forthe pole Thursday night in qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe'sMotor Speedway.

Johnson's lap of 187.052 miles per hour was a trackrecord, besting the mark Newman set earlier in the session.

Newman won both poles at Lowe's last season, and held both theNextel Cup and overall track record.

Newman, Jeff Gordon, Elliott Sadler and rookie Brian Vickersrounded out the top five. Matt Kenseth, who won the Nextel All-StarChallenge at Lowe's last week, ended up 37th, and points leaderDale Earnhardt Jr. was 10th.