Record-breaking Gordon takes pole

Gordon, who last won in September at Kansas City, set a record on his second lap of the absurdly-banked half-mile, timing in 15.083sec (127.216mph) to bump Robby Gordon from the front spot.

Gordon broke Steve Park's two-year-old track record on a bright, chilly afternoon with late-day temperatures in the mid-30s. The cold probably abetted Gordon's fast run.

"It's all about getting the heat into the tyres," he said. "I was surprised at how well they came in during the first couple of corners, but I knew the second lap was going to be my best."

There is only one fast way around this peculiar half-mile, and that is the low line. A car caught on the outside here is just as cooked as a car caught out of the draft on a restricted track - a driver can lose five, eight, 10 positions looking to get back in line.

NASCAR's new pit-road procedure here will make track position even more critical, most say. The new regs require all teams to enter the back pits off Turn 2, proceed around the track via the pit lanes at pit speed, and exit the pits in Turn 1.

The Chevrolet teams, meanwhile, received something of a break from NASCAR this season, with NASCAR mandating a common measurement for all makes from the 10-inch height line on the roof to the point at the front of the bumper. Previously, the Chevrolets, according to templates, were about 2in shorter than the other makes. That will have little effect at Bristol but could make a difference at Texas and California next month.

Robby Gordon was the 19th of 43 drivers to try the clock, and he tore out a lap in 15.170 (126.478) to edge prior top dog Jeremy Mayfield by .003. Jimmy Spencer was fourth, with Mike Skinner, driving for Morgan-McClure, making his best start of the season in fifth.

For full qualifying results, click here.