Jimmie Johnson is showing the Hardcore Race Fans that he is not willing to let his third consecutive championship slip out of his hands. Johnson was able to outrun his competitors and collect his 11th pole start of the season, and his first at the track.

"It was a great lap for us," Johnson noted. "My vision into [Turn] 1 was tough and there was nowhere to see. I did a good job of managing that stuff and I'm happy with the results."

After taking the top spot in Friday’s lone practice session, it seems that the leaders in each series’ practice sessions held at Phoenix have gone on to start on the pole for their race.

After proposing long-time girlfriend, Jamie McMurray's week seemed that it couldn’t get any better. Things aren't always as they seem, as he will start on the right hand side of Johnson on the front row.

McMurray has been flexing his muscles in the past few weeks, and will look to keep up his momentum after collecting his highest start of the 2008 season on Friday.

Friday’s top-5 qualifiers featured a couple of unfamiliar faces. Kurt Busch was able to qualify his No. 2 Dodge Charger in the third position, with David Reutimann placing his No. 44 Toyota Camry in the fourth spot.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was able to duplicate his starting position from last week, as he qualified his No. 88 Chevrolet Impala SS in the fifth spot for the second consecutive week.

With hopes of catching Johnson in order to steal the championship, Carl Edwards will begin Sunday’s race in the middle of the pack in 15th.