Pocono qualifying rained out, Johnson awarded pole

By Sports Network

The Sports Network

Persistent rain at Pocono Raceway forced NASCAR to cancel all of Friday's track activities, including qualifying.

Since the first practice session was washed out, the starting field for Sunday's 400-mile race at Pocono was determined by the current owner point standings in the Sprint Cup Series. Therefore, Jimmie Johnson was awarded the pole position. Carl Edwards will start alongside Johnson on the front row.

Clint Bowyer will roll off third, followed by Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick.

Starting sixth through 10th will be: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Paul Menard and Brad Keselowski, the defending series champion.

All 43 drivers who are entered for this race made the starting field.

Teams are scheduled to practice for a total of two hours on Saturday morning and early afternoon. The weather forecast for the area on that day calls for a 60 percent chance rain. Sunday's forecast is much better with just a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms during the afternoon.

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