NASCAR Qualifying Results: Jeff Gordon Breaks Track Record

NASCAR qualifying results were incredibly satisfying for Jeff Gordon, who stood on the top at the end of the day. Gordon, driver of the No. 24 car, even broke the track record.

The pole position will certainly help the Hendrick driver as he attempts to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The four-time series champion has one race left to make it.

Gordon turned a qualifying lap of 130.599 mph at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, reports ESPN. The time earned him his 73rd career pole position and the first one this year.

With Gordon’s blistering lap, Kurt Busch was moved to the outside of the front row. The qualifying results will make for a tough showdown, as Busch is 10th in points currently.

Gordon is six points behind in 11th and will need to pass Busch or one of the other drivers in the top 10 to make the Chase.

The top 10 NASCAR qualifiers for Richmond are: Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski, Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, Jamie McMurray, Joey Logano, Greg Biffle, and Regan Smith.

Smith is filling in for Jimmie Johnson in the No. 48 after the Hendrick driver’s wife gave birth to the couple’s second daughter on Friday. Despite taking a week off from the track, Johnson won’t have to worry about his Chase chances. The five-time champion has already clinched his spot and is first in points.

Gordon’s poll allowed him to keep his streak of 21 seasons with a poll position alive. He currently has the longest streak of any other driver in NASCAR history. Gordon commented afterward that he wasn’t sure he would get a pole position this year. He explained, “Qualifying has not been very good for me and for our team this year. Very proud of this one.”

With the NASCAR qualifying results in, who do you think will win Saturday night’s race at Richmond?

[Image via Beelde Photography / Shutterstock.com]