The Cup circuit (circus? There's a case for either I suppose) rolls into the weirdest looking oval on the planet for the second time this year. Expectations are if you're good on a road course, you should go ok at Pocono and, potentially, vice versa...and Watkins Glen is next week.

Last time here, Ryan Newman managed to nick pole from Denny "Mr Pocono 2006" Hamlin. This time, those guys won't be sharing the front row...though a Chevy and Dodge will be there. For the first time in, apparently, 172 races Dale Earnhardt Jr will start from the pole with Kurt Busch lining up beside him. Jr, Newman and Kasey Kahne all managed to chomp into Jeff Gordon's lead since Jeff could only manage 11th on the grid.

Jr managed to leapfrog Kasey into third in the points and his performance was more impressive to me as I had thought he was no chance of pole since the rain came as he started his run. I figured the track would have no grip when he went out...shows why I'm sitting here and not behind the wheel I guess.

Jr proved me wrong by planting his #8 car on the pole despite rain...his first pole since 2002

Tez's NASCAR Qualifying Championship - Standings after round 21

1 - Jeff Gordon, 67 points (5 poles)
2 - Ryan Newman, 62 points (4 poles)
3 - Dale Earnhardt Jr, 52 points (1 pole)
4 - Kasey Kahne, 49 points (1 pole)
5 - Denny Hamlin, 43 points (1 pole)
6 - Jamie McMurray, 37 points (1 pole)
7 - Kurt Busch, 35 points
8 - Jimmie Johnson, 32 points
9 - Elliot Sadler, 28 points
10 - Kyle Busch, 22 points
=11 - Tony Stewart, 20 points
=11 - Martin Truex Jr, 20 points
13 - Clint Bowyer, 19 points (1 pole)
=14 - David Gilliland, 18 points (1 pole)
=14 - Reed Sorenson, 18 points (1 pole)
=16 - Carl Edwards, 17 points
=16 - Juan Montoya, 17 points
18 - Mark Martin, 16 points
=19 - Scott Riggs, 15 points
=19 - Ricky Rudd, 15 points
21 - JJ Yeley, 14 points (1 pole)
=22 - Dave Blaney, 13 points (1 pole)
=22 - Casey Mears, 13 points (1 pole)
=22 - Jeff Burton, 13 points
=22 - David Stremme, 13 points
26 - Kevin Harvick, 11 points
=27 - Greg Biffle, 9 points
=27 - Bobby Labonte, 9 points
29 - Robby Gordon, 8 points
=30 - Sterling Marlin, 6 points
=30 - Ken Schrader, 6 points
=30 - Kenny Wallace, 6 points
=33 - Boris Said, 5 points
=33 - Johnny Sauter, 5 points
=35 - Matt Kenseth, 4 points
=35 - Joe Nemechek, 4 points
37 - Bill Elliot, 2 points

So the gap is five points between Jeff and Ryan with Jr and Kasey both trying to get in on the action as well. Those four guys look to be the ones who will fight out this title. Denny might be able to make a move but he, like Jeff, is more interested in experimenting setups for the Chase so this could be a good chance for Ryan, Jr and Kasey to make their charge.

I hope everyone enjoys the race...and keep an eye on turn four of this track, it's quite a doozy   ;)