LONG POND, Pa. --- Success at the Pocono Raceway can be measured by just a few feet. Although the triangle-shaped track is 2.5-miles in length, a 10-foot-wide patch of asphalt has become a very coveted area for today's Pocono 500.

Hit the patch, and it launches a car down the mile-long frontstretch with extraordinary grip. Miss it, and half the field will speed past.

Momentum not only is a key for today's race, but it also has defined the current Sprint Cup season. A few have found ways to turn flashes of success into lasting streaks; others are still trying to find their marks.

Kasey Kahne, who starts on the pole today, is coming off two victories in the past three races, counting May's all-star race. Greg Biffle has three top-three finishes in a row. And Kyle Busch has three wins and five top-three finishes in the past five races.

Meanwhile, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch -- all former champions -- have combined for one win all year.

"It's a high that you don't want to ever end, and you want to experience it," said Johnson. "It takes so much to be successful in this sport. I'm sure a lot of those guys are sitting back and savoring the moment and the fact that they are the guys right now.

"We've been there, and I appreciate it and respect them for all the hard work that they've done to put themselves in this position. ... Eventually, another team comes along, and how you respond through all of that is what's really challenging."

Kahne, Kyle Busch and Biffle aren't questioning why it's their turn to be out front.

"The momentum and confidence and things has been there, and the team is doing a great job, whether at the track or at the shop," Kahne said after a pole-winning lap of 170.219 mph. "It's been fun again."

Johnson, who has two wins at Pocono, will start second after qualifying at 169.856 mph.

Because eight of the past 15 winners at Pocono have started on the front row, Johnson is hoping today's race will be the springboard to finding his own momentum.

"So much has changed since we won here," he said. "There's a different car and a different rules package. Things that really worked for us then won't work for us now. I do have fond memories of the track, and I've enjoyed the challenges of it with three separate corners, but it's just such a different world."

Kyle Busch qualified 10th. However, he crashed his primary car during Saturday's early practice session and will have to use a backup car -- and start last.