FORT WORTH, Texas --- Jeff Gordon cut it close by waiting until Friday to win his first pole of the season.
By running 191.117 mph at Texas Motor Speedway, Gordon not only moved to fourth on NASCAR's all-time qualifying list, he extended his streak of winning at least one pole in each of the past 17 seasons.
"Better late than never," he said.
Gordon trails only Richard Petty, David Pearson and Cale Yarborough in the qualifying record books.
His 68th career pole also will allow him to start Sunday's Dickies 500, the 34th of 36 races, from the front.
"What a lap," Gordon said. "I wasn't sure it was good enough. I was definitely more aggressive and it stuck."
Gordon started first at Martinsville in March, the week before the Texas spring race, when that field was set by owner's points. He has rolled off in the No. 2 spot seven times this season.
Kasey Kahne was second-fastest at 190.975 mph. He was surprised that wasn't good enough.
"That was the best lap I ran all year as far as qualifying," he said.
The rest of the top-10 starters will be: Kurt Busch in third, Tony Stewart in fourth, Kyle Busch in fifth, Carl Edwards in sixth, Mark Martin in seventh, Greg Biffle in eighth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. in ninth and Clint Bowyer in 10th.
Chase leader Jimmie Johnson, who can clinch his fourth consecutive title on Sunday, will start 12th.
Associated Press reports were also used in this story.
Reach Don Coble at don.coble@morris.com.
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