Rain washes out Pocono Quals, Johnson on pole

Qualifying for Sunday’s Party in the Poconos 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway has been canceled due to persistent inclement weather. There was no track activity today.

The starting grid has been set per the provisions in the NASCAR rulebook.

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s/KOBALT Tools Chevrolet SS, and current point leader will lead the field down to the green for Sunday’s 160-lap contest.

“There are a lot of good benefits from starting on the pole, from track position to pit road picks," said Johnson. “We’ll take it. The great season that we’ve had so far and the quick start, it’s nice to have that. It’s one of the benefits (as the point leader) when things rain out. So we certainly earned this first starting spot, and we’ll try to take advantage of it on Sunday."

There will be 17 Chevrolet SS drivers in Sunday’s race. Starting in the top-10 will be Kevin Harvick, No. 29 Rheem Chevrolet SS – 5th, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet SS – 6th, Kasey Kahne, No. 5 Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet SS – 7th and Paul Menard, No. 27 Quaker State/Menards Chevrolet SS – 10th.

A total of 43 cars were entered for Sunday’s race, and the qualifying rainout determined that all 43 entries will race on Sunday.

Carl Edwards (Ford) will start second, Clint Bowyer (Toyota) will start third and Matt Kenseth (Toyota) will start fourth to round out the top-five starters.