NASCAR At Talladega Superspeedway Starting Lineup: Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Lead The Way

Apparently, Hendrick Motorsports has this whole restrictor-plate qualifying thing figured out.

At the first plate race since Hendrick swept the front row for the Daytona 500, Hendrick took all four of the top spots at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, resulting in a pole for Jeff Gordon.

Gordon (178.248 mph) led the way, followed by Jimmie Johnson (177.844), Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The pole was the 70th of Gordon’s career, which moved him past Cale Yarborough for third on the all-time pole winners list.

“We knew our cars were good in practice yesterday,” Johnson said. “It’s good to see it show up on the scoring pylon today.”

Talladega qualifying has long been known as one of the least important exercises in NASCAR – the starting positions at ‘Dega have little bearing on the race – but Hendrick’s qualifying dominance showed they have a good package, at the very least.

“Restrictor-plate qualifying is kind of fickle,” Martin said. “I don’t think you ever know until you get the lap in...but we’re certainly pleased with that. I’m honestly, once again, humbled to be part of Hendrick Motorsports.”

It was only the third time in NASCAR history that a team has swept all four of the top spots – Roush Fenway Racing most recently did it in 2005 at Fontana. Pete DePaolo also did it in 1956 at Charlotte, according to NASCAR.

Here’s the starting lineup for Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway:

Failed to qualify: Mike Skinner, Tony Raines, Michael McDowell.