Gordon off Coca-Cola pole for first time in five years

Labonte not only captured the top spot for Sunday's Memorial Day classic at Lowe's Motor Speedway, he broke Gordon's record of 184.300 mph by 0.150 seconds, circling the 1.5-mile track in 29.153 seconds, at an average speed of 185.230 mph.

The prior record was only good enough for a ninth place starting slot today - Gordon will start 10th on Sunday after drawing the fifth slot in first-round qualifying and turning a lap in 29.322 seconds (184.162 mph).

Jeff Burton, Kenny Wallace, Elliott Sadler and Steve Park round up the top five.

Meanwhile, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is making his official NASCAR Winston Cup Series debut in the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet of Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

The Coca-Cola 600 is the first Winston Cup event the 1998 NASCAR Busch Series champ will participate in this season before stepping up full-time in 2000.

He will also attempt to qualify at Michigan Speedway, New Hampshire International Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and the NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in November.

Earnhardt Jr's attempt yesterday put him eighth between Mark Martin and Jeremy Mayfield, while Earnhardt Sr. will start 15th

Second round qualifying starts today at 1800.One hour of practice will follow immediately upon completion of qualifying and the Winston Cup cars will stay in the garage until 0900 Saturday morning.