Qualifying: Johnson breaks lap record

Johnson set a new track record of 28.960s (186.464mph), to add to the poles he scored at Daytona and Talledega during his impressive debut Winston Cup season.

"Something happened in practice," said Johnson when asked why the cars were so much quicker than last year, "right after the Dash cars. They had a happy hour before we went out, and they had a softer rubber, or something was happening that gave us speed."

Elliot Sadler was just six thousandths of a second slower than Johnson in second, while Ryan Newman was just a few hundredths further adrift. All three drivers managed to break the 29s barrier.

Ryan Newman starts fourth, Bill Elliot fifth and former track record holder Dale Earnhardt Jr sixth. Ricky Rudd is on course to set a new record for consecutive race starts. He's qualified 19th for what will be his 656th start, surpassing Terry Labonte's existing mark.

Several big names drivers have only secured provisional starting places. These include Ward Burton, and for the third time in four races Dale Jarrett. Erstwhile championship leader Sterling Marlin starts 35th.

For qualifying results, click here.