Kahne's California pole

Kahne, driving Ray Evernham's proven equipment, also won poles at Las Vegas and Darlington and just missed victories at Rockingham and Texas. Many observers are nodding toward Kahne to break through for a win here Sunday.

There is reason for that belief. Here and at Michigan, qualifying speed is a reliable predictor of race performance, although the race has never been won from the pole. In fact most teams practiced Friday morning in race dress.

Kahne toppled Joe Nemechek from the pole, with Nemechek making an early run. Kahne ran 38.515sec (186.940mph, well short of Newman's track record of 187.432mph). Nemechek's time was 38.557 (186.737).

Third was Jeff Green, who gave Petty Enterprises its best starting spot of the season. Green ran 38.644 (186.316). Rookie filled the next three positions, with Scott Riggs, Brendan Gaughan and Brian Vickers filling through position six. Newman was seventh, followed by Sterling Marlin, Rusty Wallace and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

All 43 candidates entered made the 43-car field, with none busted. The slowest time recorded was the 41.273 made by Kirk Shelmerdine.