Johnson on pole at Watkins Glen

Jimmie Johnson, other than the All-Star race at Lowes Motor Speedway, had never started from the pole this season. The three-time champion of Nascar The reigning champion remedied this “error” this Friday, setting the best time at Watkins Glen. It was Denny Hamlin, winner on Monday at Pocono, who opened the qualifying rounds, setting a very convincing time. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver's time also remained at the top of the list for a long time. Denny Hamlin was only beaten by Jimmie Johnson, who started in eighth position, and Kurt Busch, who failed to be a hundredth behind the poleman. Hamlin also recognized that his victory on Monday had been “a tremendous booster” in terms of his motivation for this qualifying session.

But it is Jimmie Johnson who emerges victorious from this qualifying session. Although the driver has won three times this season, he has not yet appeared at the top of the list after a qualifying session. The three-time Nascar champion, even if he is still far from it, can therefore claim victory at the Glen. This would be the first success in a road circuit race for the three-time Nascar champion, who is more comfortable on ovals. On Saturday, two test sessions are on the program to refine the tuning of the cars.