NASCAR Watkins Glen 2014 qualifying results: Jeff Gordon on the pole at Watkins Glen

Flashing the form that he used to once rule Watkins Glen International, Jeff Gordon wrestled away the pole from Marcos Ambrose in qualifying for Sunday’s Cheez-It 355.

A speed of 129.466 mph gave Gordon his first pole of the season and his first at the famed road course in 11 years. Ambrose will start second followed by Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch.

That Gordon set time Saturday carried added importance for the Sprint Cup points leader, whose son is celebrating a fourth birthday.

“Today is Leo’s birthday and I told him on the phone earlier that I was going to go try to get a pole for him,” Gordon said. “We were going for it and we got it done. Happy Birthday, buddy. I’m pumped; this gives us a lot of confidence.”

In a five-year span (1997-2001) Gordon won four times at Watkins Glen. But his last victory came in 2001 and he has since struggled with a best finish of ninth. Part of Gordon’s troubles have stemmed from qualifying -- his best starting position in the past five years was 12th.

“Qualifying has really been what has been hurting us, and I blame myself really,” Gordon said. “I’m so happy that I got three shots at it today. I really think that made the big difference.”

As Gordon has slumped in recent years, Ambrose has surged. Noted for his road racing ability, Ambrose has won two of the past three Watkins Glen races and was in contention last year before being collected in a wreck.

Ambrose broke the track record in the first session of qualifying and held the top spot in the final round before Gordon eclipsed him.

“I wish Jeff was a little kinder to me to let me get the pole,” Ambrose said. “It was a pretty good lap, though, and I will take it. You have to be happy with front-row starts.”

Rounding out the top 10 were AJ Allmendinger, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski and Ryan Newman.

A couple of former multi-time Watkins Glen winners failed to advance past the first round. Tony Stewart was bumped outside the top 12 in the closing seconds, while defending winner Kyle Busch logged just the 19th-fastest speed.

Stewart is winless on the year and needs a win Sunday if he is to qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Just four regular season races remain after Watkins Glen.

“This is such a momentum race track that you can gain or lose that really easy,” Stewart said. “With all the corners they’ve got here and braking centers you can get that really easy and not even know you did it.”

Update: Regan Smith will drive for Tony Stewart, who killed an on-foot driver during a dirt track event in New York Saturday night and withdrew from the race at Watkins Glen. Smith will maintain the 13th grid position but must drop to the back of the pack before the green flag.