Johnson on Dega pole as rain washes out qualifying

Even mother nature makes things right for Jimmie Johnson

With the qualifying session for Sunday's AMP Energy 500 canceled because of rain, Mark Martin will start on the outside of the front row beside Sprint Cup points leader and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson.

NASCAR's qualifying rainout rules stipulate that the top 35 positions are set according to owners' points. Consequently, the 12 drivers in the Chase will start from the top 12 spots, with the exception of Kasey Kahne, who will drop to the rear of the field in his No. 9 Dodge because of an engine change.

"This is the most relaxed I've been going into Talladega in the last 10 years," said Martin, whose crash five laps into the April race at the 2.66-mile restrictor-plate superspeedway is emblematic of the struggles he's had there. "I just really feel good. I feel like this is going to be our lucky day."

The forecast for Sunday is for sunny skies with a high in the upper 60s.

Lineup

+ Set by Owner Points
* Denotes Rookie