Edwards wins Phoenix pole; Gordon starts third, Johnson sixth

AVONDALE, ARIZONA - Jeff Gordon, who trails Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson by 30 points in the Nextel Cup standings, qualified third under overcast conditions in the desert for Sunday's Nextel Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway.

Gordon is a three-time Phoenix pole winner and won there in April to tie the late Dale Earnhardt on NASCAR's career wins list. Johnson will start sixth.

It was an historic day for Indianapolis 500 winners in NASCAR qualifying. Sam Hornish Junior joined Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya as former Indy 500 winners to earn a spot. It's the first time in NASCAR history three former Indy champions will be in the field.

Carl Edwards won his first pole in almost two years with a fast lap of 132.773 miles per hour. Martin Truex Junior, who had the pole last week in Texas and finished third, qualified second.

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