Phoenix feels better for Truex and Jimmie Johnson

AVONDALE, Ariz. – There's nothing like getting back to the track.

Martin Truex Jr. and his Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team were stripped of 50 points and crew chief Kevin Manion was fined $50,000 after their No. 1 Chevrolet failed post-race inspection last weekend at Texas.

How's this for a remedy?

Truex used a lap at 135.120 mph to win the pole for Sunday's Checker 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.

The pole is the third of the season for Truex and fourth of his career. In his two previous starts from the pole this season, he's finished 11th at Daytona and 26th at Atlanta.

"I keep saying this, but it has been a real tough season on us and it feels good to come out here and have a good day," said Truex, who is moving to Michael Waltrip Racing next season.

"Hopefully, we can finish out the deal this weekend. I love coming to Phoenix. It has been a good race track for us and I look forward to great things on Sunday.

"It isn't for a lack of effort or a lack of speed; we just have made tons of mistakes and have had lots of things go wrong."

Sprint Cup Series leader Jimmie Johnson couldn't wait to get back in his No. 48 Chevrolet either after he wrecked three laps into last weekend's race at Texas. Although Johnson managed to get back out, he finished 38th and lost 111 points to second-place Mark Martin.

How was his day Friday?

Johnson qualified third-fastest – best among the drivers still in the hunt.

He has won three of the past four races at Phoenix. Martin won the spring race, while Johnson started 10th and finished fourth.

"This race team is just a great group of guys that work their guts out week in and week out. Last weekend, circumstances really took the points away from us,” Johnson said.

"We don't have a feeling that we messed up or we did something wrong or we didn't perform – we only made three laps."

Kurt Busch qualified second, Kasey Kahne was fourth and Denny Hamlin fifth. Martin, who trails Johnson by 73 points with two races left, will line up 10th.

Brandon Ash, Kevin Conway and Regan Smith all failed to make the 43-car field.

For Johnson, Friday’s qualifying run helped quiet all the doubts that were creeping in about his ability to win a NASCAR-record fourth consecutive championship.

“Even from a bad qualifying effort on Friday, roll in to Saturday and you are at the top of the board in ‘Happy Hour’ – it is amazing how it will change your confidence and make you feel well,” Johnson said.

“I’ve been all week long waiting to get in to the race car. Off the truck we were decent, top-three or four. Those emotions started to go away and I started focusing on today.

“That good medicine of being in the race car kicked in.”