NASCAR 2012 Talladega Qualifying

NASCAR 2012 Talladega Qualifying, Jeff Gordon tried a different line in qualifying around Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday. As it turns out, the veteran NASCAR driver still can learn a few new tricks.

Gordon picked up his first pole of the season and the 71st of his career, which puts him No. 3 on the all-time list. It was Gordon’s first pole in one year; he also started in the top spot at the Talladega spring race last season.

“I did not expect that good of a lap,” Gordon told SPEED after his lap. “I knew we were going to be a threat for it, but that’s pretty sporty.”

AJ Allmendinger was second, followed by Richard Petty Motorsports teammates Marcos Ambrose and Aric Almirola – who was fastest in both practices on Friday.

Gordon’s teammate Kasey Kahne was fifth, and Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart, Michael Waltrip and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top 10.

JJ Yeley was the only driver who failed to qualify for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499.

Here is the starting lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway:

1. Jeff Gordon
2. AJ Allmendinger
3. Marcos Ambrose
4. Aric Almirola
5. Kasey Kahne
6. Greg Biffle
7. Carl Edwards
8. Tony Stewart
9. Michael Waltrip
10. Matt Kenseth
11. Trevor Bayne
12. Juan Pablo Montoya
13. Brad Keselowski
14. Ryan Newman
15. Martin Truex Jr.
16. Josh Wise
17. Paul Menard
18. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
19. Jimmie Johnson
20. Kevin Harvick
21. Kyle Busch
22. Denny Hamlin
23. Jamie McMurray
24. Clint Bowyer
25. Casey Mears
26. David Gilliland
27. David Stremme
28. Terry Labonte
29. Jeff Burton
30. Joey Logano
31. Regan Smith
32. David Ragan
33. Kurt Busch
34. David Reutimann
35. Michael McDowell
36. Bill Elliott
37. Joe Nemechek
38. Dave Blaney
39. Robert Richardson Jr.
40. Tony Raines
41. Landon Cassill
42. David Reutimann
43. Bobby Labonte

(SB Nation)