Gordon On Pole At Texas

November 6, 2009 7:46 p.m. EST

Fort Worth, Texas (AHN) - Jeff Gordon needed a boost in his Chase for another NASCAR Sprint Cup title and he got it Friday by winning the pole for Sunday's Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Gordon turned a lap of 191.117 mph to edge fellow Chaser Kasey Kahne for the front spot and the front row will be followed by Chasers Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart.

"I'm really thrilled. It's a total team effort from the power under the hood and Hendrick engines to this race car and the total team effort here at the track today with great communication. There's no doubt that our efforts here have improved because we've really focused on it,'' said Gordon.

"They started with qualifying and then luckily the last time they showed up in the race as well so we certainly hope we can take this qualifying effort and create those types of results as well. But it was a good day for us,'' he added.

Kyle Busch qualified fifth and was the fastest of the non-Chasers and starting alongside him will be Chaser Carl Edwards in sixth.

Chasers Mark Martin and Greg Biffle comprise the fourth row and Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Clint Bowyer round out the top-10.

"It was a good lap for the M&M's Camry. I'm real proud of the way the guys have worked together -- Dave (Rogers, crew chief) and the 11 (Denny Hamlin) team,'' said Kyle Busch. "We've tried to share a lot of information this weekend and it seems to be paying off, at least for us. Unfortunately, for the 11 (Denny Hamlin) -- it wasn't as good. We feel really good about the race, so I was surprised to see that lap time come out of there."

Failing to qualify for the 43-car field was Tony Raines, Dave Blaney, Max Papis and Mike Bliss.