For the second time in the last three races, Kasey Kahne will lead the field to the green flag from the pole position. Kahne was only the third driver to take time at the Infineon Raceway, laying down a lap of 77.740 seconds at a speed of 92.153 mph.

The Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver has been on a tear since receiving the fan vote in the Sprint All-Star Race. Since then, Kahne has three victories - counting the all-star event - and a runner-up finish. The driver of the No. 9 Budweiser Dodge has also become a serious championship contender, moving from 14th in the standings to 7th in only four races.

Jimmie Johnson will roll off from the second spot for Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350. Johnson has yet to win on a road course and hopes this weekend changes that record. The driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet explained, "we want to win on a road course. We've been close at Watkins Glen. Sonoma has been tough for us. But it's a goal that I have personally and so does the team. We're putting a lot of effort into it and hopefullit pays off this weekend."

Kurt Busch and Bobby Labonte will start third and fourth in a pair of Dodges. Both of these teams could use a good run to boost their confidence. At a course where track position is so essential, if they can stay on track and remain within striking distance anything is possible.

Hometown kid Jeff Gordon was all smiles Friday, laying down a solid lap good enough for the fifth-spot. Celebrating his daughter Ella's first birthday with friends and family close to his hometown of Vallejo, Gordon has a great chance to break through and capture his first win of 2008.

Perhaps the only person happier than Jeff Gordon today was the driver of the No. 21 Ford, Marcos Ambrose. Making his first career start, Ambrose was fastest in practice and backed it up by laying down a lap of 7th fastest.

Season-long woes continued for Dario Franchitti and his Chip Ganassi Racing team. The former open-wheel star's road course experience was not enough to make up poor car beneath him. Franchitti could only muster a lap good enough for 46th, almost two-and-a-half mph slower than Kasey Kahne.

Franchitti was not the only driver to make the trip out west in vain, J.J. Yeley, Scott Rigs and Brandon Ash were also too slow to make the show.

In an interesting situation, Kyle Busch made his qualifying run and was much slower than expected. After pulling the No. 18 Toyota Camry into the garage it was noticed that inspectors failed to pull tape off of opening at the bottom of the windshield. Leaving that tape on kills the engine's horsepower and has a major effect on the car's performance. Busch was allowed to head back out on the track and make another qualifying run, although he could only run a lap good enough for 30th-spot.

Coverage of Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350 is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET on your local TNT and PRN stations. Be sure to check back to HardcoreRaceFans.com to follow all the action from Sonoma this weekend.