Rain cancels Cup activity at LMS, lineup set by points

CONCORD, N.C. -- Steady rain that lasted most of the day with little interruption washed out most of Thursday's activities at Lowe's Motor Speedway, including qualifying for this Saturday night's Sprint Cup Series race.

The starting grid for the Bank of America 500 thus will be set according to the NASCAR rule book, awarding the pole position to points leader Jimmie Johnson.

"I didn't do much [Thursday]. Seven laps in the Nationwide car, looked at my Cup car, ate a bunch of junk food in the hauler -- and now I guess I'll go home. I wish I could say I did more," Johnson said.

Rain limited the time on the track to just a handful of laps for Nationwide Series cars on Thursday. Scheduled Sprint Cup practice got washed out altogether. It was the eighth time this season Sprint Cup qualifying had to be canceled because of inclement weather, and the second time in five Chase races.

Johnson, who won five of six events at LMS from 2003 through 2005, admitted that it was important to be awarded a favorable pit stall at the track -- even if by default.

"I do think it's a big advantage to start up front here," Johnson said. "The track has changed a lot with the new asphalt they laid down and the tire we run on it. Because of that, I think the advantage we had a few years ago has kind of gone away.

"Kasey Kahne has had more momentum here than anyone, I would say, over the last two or three years. We've been right there and had pretty much a top-five car, but I would like to get that magic back."

Kahne, who is attempting to become the first driver in history to win the All-Star race, the Coca-Cola 600 and the fall race at LMS in the same season, is currently 15th in points and therefore will start in the 15th position Saturday night, on the inside of the eighth row.

Joining Johnson on the outside of the front row will be Carl Edwards, who is second in points. Each of the 12 Chase drivers will line up in order behind them, according to their place in the point standings. That, according to Johnson, will diminish the fact that he is starting first.

"The guys we are racing [in the Chase] are right there with us, so it isn't a huge advantage," Johnson said. "But having the first pit stall is going to be helpful. We have seen some things happen here on pit road."

Kahne said that at least the drivers, most of whom live in the Charlotte area, gained a little extra time at home because of the rainout.

"It's nice to be home because you do have somewhere you can go, and it's not your motor home," Kahne said. "If you're going to get rained out, it's best to get rained out either at home or in Las Vegas. Those are my two favorite places to get rained out."

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