Pole sitter Jimmie Johnson had the best car in yesterday’s practice sessions, until the final practice, when he got loose and hit the wall, damaging his front and rear left.

As a result of Johnson having to go to his backup car, last year’s champ is going to have to start from the back of the field, which pushes Matt Kenseth into the pole position, and Scott Riggs into the front row. The deck might seem stacked agianst him, but since Kansas offers plenty of opportunities to pass, and because Johnson will have a quality car, don’t be surprised to see him back near the front before too long.

As for Tony Stewart, yesterday might have brought him a little bit of a trouble as well, but not for anything on the track. Stewart had walking from his car after finishing the first practice session when he was approached by an ESPN camera, and apparently didn’t feel like being interviewed, so he not-so-kindly told the crew to get out of his face. Unfortunately, it was live footage, and that means bad news for the two-time champ, who already got in trouble earlier this season for cursing on TV. NASCAR may take into account the fact that he didn’t know he was being filmed, but then again, you’re supposed to be on your p’s and q’s whenever a camera comes your way.

If he does get docked some points, which is pretty likely, that will be the second Chase-affecting penalty in just a few days, after Carl Edwards’ penalty. Throw in Johnson going to the back of the field, and points leader Jeff Gordon is a) hoping that he avoids trouble today (on or off of the track), and b) set up for a big, big day if his car rides as well as it has so far this weekend. And, as for the other championship contenders, this news helps them out as well, especially the likes of Kenseth and Denny Hamlin, who are back in the points but starting near the front today.

I won’t be providing race updates, since it’s my fiancee’s birthday, and that means the computer goes off. But, when I am back on, I’ll have race analysis, updated standings, and more.

Ryan Newman actually qualified second, but will start at the back of the field after his car failed post-qualifying inspection for having a roof that was just a little bit low.

Here is the full race lineup and order, courtesy of NASCAR.com - here!

Seven Chase drivers in the top 10, and there’s Dale Earnhardt, Jr., #13 in the points, starting sixth and looking for yet another solid Sunday, as he rounds out his time with DEI.

Tony Stewart rounds out the day for the Chase drivers, running a lap of 172.386 mph to put himself into 19th position with two drivers to go.

Seven of 10 Chase drivers are in the top 13, with Stewart, Carl Edwards (28th), and Jeff Burton (36th) the only Chase drivers to finish out of the top 15.

Dale Jarrett (14th) and A.J. Allmendinger (38th) round out qualifying, and that’s that. Jimmie Johnson wins his second pole in a row, with Matt Kenseth (3rd) and points leader Jeff Gordon (5th) the other two Chase drivers to be in the top 5.

I’ll have a complete list of the field shortly.

Kyle Busch just ran a lap of 173.483 to go into 8th place on the grid. His brother Kurt was just bumped out of the top 10, and is now into 12th.

Just a few more to go!

Denny Hamlin just ran a lap of 173.684 mph to put him in fourth, just behind Jeff Gordon. Hamlin needs a strong Sunday to get himself back into the thick of the Chase, after the first two weeks have seen him fall into last place, 158 points back.

Oh, look at that, Ryan Newman puts himself into second with a lap of 174.893 mph, and Matt Kenseth follows with a lap of 174.284 mph to go into third. Only five more drivers remain, with Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart the only remaining Chase drivers.

Scott Riggs takes second on the grid after running a lap of 173.963 in the #10.

Clint Bowyer just ran a lap of 173.338 to move into sixth, while a few drivers earlier, Kevin Harvick ran a lap of 172.458, which has him in 12th.

Points leader Jeff Gordon moves into second on the grid behind Hendrick buddy Jimmie Johnson with a lap of 173.695 mph, as Chase drivers now occupy the top three spots in the field.

Truex. currently in 7th in the points, runs a lap of 173.455 to push Michael Waltrip out of second spot.

Five more Chase drivers are still to hit the track, with points leader Jeff Gordon the next Chase driver to take his turn.

Jimmie Johnson ran a lap of 175.063 mph, pushing Kurt Busch into second. And, just that quickly, Busch gets pushed down to third, after Michael Waltrip runs a lap of 172.983 mph. We’re about halfway through the field now.

As for the other Chase drivers:

9. Carl Edwards
15. Jeff Burton (171.016)

Carl Edwards is looking to end his week on a high note after a 25-point penalty threw a damper on his victory at New Hampshire, and moves into third on the grid after a lap of 171.467 mph.

Kurt Busch is still on top, as we’ve gone through a dozen drivers so far.