Hamlin the same at PIR and in COT: on the cusp (cont'd)

"In past races here we've either had engine problems or trouble on pit road that has kept us from getting the results so knowing we are good enough to run up front but not showing it is a little frustrating," Hamlin said. "We have always been good here and feel like we should probably have more to show for it. But, it also motivates this team to come back here and get after it."

Jeff Gordon nearly won at Martinsville, and on Thursday won his second pole in three COT races. But no driver has ever won Phoenix from the pole; Gordon has never won at Phoenix, either.

Gordon wins pole

Jeff Gordon won his third Bud Pole of the early season at Phoenix and for the fourth time in eight races will lead the starting grid to the green flag.

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"There were a couple of times I thought we had a shot at the victory but pit strategy or something else ruined those chances," said Gordon, who has a third-place and runner-up finish in the first two COT races. "I think this race will give us a better idea of where we are with the Car of Tomorrow. It's a lot faster track where aerodynamics are much more of a factor.

"This race should be very interesting with the new car. It's hard not to compare it to the current car which has a certain feel and comfort level that we don't yet have in the Car of Tomorrow. But all teams are fighting through that. It may not give me the comfort level I'm looking for, but we have to get as much speed out of the car as possible while making it handle the best we can."

Jamie McMurray, who will start on the outside of the front row, has moved up 26 positions in the points to 10th place in the past five races. He is riding a three-race top-10 streak, including two ninth-places finishes in the COT races.

But Phoenix is the only track at which McMurray has never posted a top-10. In seven starts, his average finish is 24.7

"I look forward to Phoenix each time we travel out there, although my track record doesn't show that," McMurray said. "The last time we were there, we qualified well and started out really good, but we were wrecked pretty badly near the end of the race. Hopefully, that won't happen this weekend and we can have another solid run."

He's off to another good start.

"This team has been working hard back at the shop to build these cars and the payout is showing on the track," McMurray said "The cars have been really fast."

Despite his COT success, McMurray remains wary going into the first 1-mile race in the new design.

"We've had a tough time getting these cars to turn, but hopefully, we can find the right balance in Phoenix and make the car work for us," he said.