NASCAR: Jimmie Johnson wins Charlotte pole with fastest lap ever in the CoT

Jimmie Johnson, the NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader, won the pole at Lowe’s Speedway, in Charlotte, with the fastest qualifying lap ever run in NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow.

A persistent rain pushed practice and qualifying late into the night. Johnson who was fastest in practice yelled for glee, in his radio, after he turned a lap of 192.486mph but that was not an official qualifying lap.

Jimmie Johnson

Driving a Chevrolet, at close to nine o’clock on a very cool evening Johnson turned a lap of 192.376 mph setting a new record for the car also known as the CoT. He said "I don't think I've gone that fast before through a corner."

Not resting on his laurels Johnson said “I’ll sleep well tonight, but, tomorrow’s another day.” His mind was already on race preparation.

His teammate Mark Martin, (second in the points) was second fastest, at 191.816mph.

Kasey Kahne was third fastest in a Dodge and Matt Kenseth was fourth fastest in a Ford. Tony Stewart who is fourth in the standings qualified fifth fastest.

Juan Pablo Montoya, third in the points said he had a good car but was “tight in (turns) 3 and 4,” which resulted in a 18th place qualifying.

The cool weather contributed to a make the one-and-one-half mile oval very fast. Twelve drivers qualified at speeds in excess of 190mph.