Rain washes out qualifying

Jimmie Johnson will start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from the pole after rain washed out qualifying Friday at the newly named Auto Club Speedway.
Johnson, last year’s Cup champion, earned the top starting spot in Sunday’s race based on the owners standings from 2007. Jeff Gordon, Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, will start second and on the front row.
The Cup drivers tried to get out on the track to practice Friday, but wet track conditions prevented them. That didn't seem to worry Johnson.
“We tested out here. I guess you get used to it," said Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. "We have things rained out from time to time. I’d like to be out there and I think there is probably more pressure on the crew chiefs than the drivers at this point. I’m sure a lot of guys are coming out here different then where we tested and would love to be on track to see how that was going to work out. I think the crew chiefs will lose a little sleep. I think the drivers will be fine.”
Gordon and Johnson have combined to win five Cup races at California Speedway. Johnson won last year’s Labor Day race at the track. Gordon’s last win at California Speedway came in 2004.
"I think most of us are just anxious to see where we stack up against the competition," said Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. "And then the other thing is, and the reason we’re all here, is that the race is on Sunday so tomorrow’s practice is more important about being in traffic and maneuvering around cars and getting your car working good on a long run. I’m looking forward to getting out there for that. Today, with the position we’re at in the points, all it was, was making one or two lap runs for qualifying. So for us, today we didn’t really lose much.”
Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 07 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, will start third.
“It’s pretty good for me," Bowyer said. "I’m good with third. I’ll take it. Tomorrow will be crucial. It’ll be a busy day for us; for me personally running the Nationwide car too, so there will be a lot going on tomorrow. But we’ll be ready for it. I think a good starting spot goes a long way in these races and staying up front in clean air I think is going to be big with this car in particular. So, I’m looking forward to it.”
Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 12 Dodge for Penske Racing, will start 13th.
Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing and winner of the past two February Cup races at California Speedway, will start fourth.