We hit the streets this time as the Cup teams tackle the road course at Sonoma near Napa Valley; the wine capital of California.

The biggest news was to hear that Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson would sit out qualifying due to...car infringements shall we say. If Tsfan is anything like myself (highly unlikely I know, but just stay with me here), then she is rather miffed at what to think now after photo says she reminds him of Jeff (while I get Jimmie).

Anyway, Jamie McMurray went out reasonably early and had to wait as the rest tried to pinch pole from him but all ended well. Jamie scored his third career pole and first on a road course.

After starting 2nd for last years race, Jamie McMurray went one better by grabbing pole

Due to some guys being real good on road courses, the number of drivers with points has jumped from 33 last week to 36. Robby Gordon was the big gainer this week, getting his first points of the year to leap up to equal 24th. Despite having to start from the back and scoring no points as a result, the other Gordon keeps his spot at the top:

Tez's NASCAR Qualifying Championship Standings - after round 16

1 - Jeff Gordon, 66 points (5 poles)
2 - Ryan Newman, 45 points (4 poles)
3 - Kasey Kahne, 41 points (1 pole)
4 - Denny Hamlin, 40 points (1 pole)
5 - Jamie McMurray, 37 points (1 pole)
6 - Dale Earnhardt Jr, 30 points
7 - Jimmie Johnson, 29 points
8 - Elliot Sadler, 28 points
9 - Tony Stewart, 20 points
10 - David Gilliland, 18 points (1 pole)
=11 - Clint Bowyer, 17 points (1 pole)
=11 - Carl Edwards, 17 points
13 - Kurt Busch, 16 points
=14 - Scott Riggs, 15 points
=14 - Ricky Rudd, 15 points
16 - JJ Yeley, 14 points (1 pole)
=17 - Kyle Busch, 13 points
=17 - David Stremme, 13 points
19 - Martin Truex Jr, 12 points
=20 - Jeff Burton, 11 points
=20 - Mark Martin, 11 points
=22 - Kevin Harvick, 9 points
=22 - Bobby Labonte, 9 points
=24 - Greg Biffle, 8 points
=24 - Robby Gordon, 8 points
=26 - Sterling Marlin, 6 points
=26 - Ken Schrader, 6 points
=26 - Kenny Wallace, 6 points
=29 - Juan Montoya, 5 points
=29 - Boris Said, 5 points
=31 - Matt Kenseth, 4 points
=31 - Joe Nemechek, 4 points
33 - Dave Blaney, 3 points
=34 - Bill Elliot, 2 points
=34 - Casey Mears, 2 points
=34 - Reed Sorenson, 2 points

After Happy Hour, the guys who look in the best shape going into the race tomorrow are Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and Jeff Burton with Ron Fellows looming as a dark horse.