Jeff Gordon earns MIS pole

Brooklyn, Mich. -- Jeff Gordon Friday captured the pole position for Sunday's 3M Performance 400 Nextel Cup auto race at Brooklyn, Mich.

The points' leader earned the pole despite a last place start in qualifying with a speed of 189.026 mph at the Michigan International Speedway.

It was Gordon's series-leading sixth pole this season, his fifth at the MIS, and the 62nd of his Nextel Cup career.

"Welcome back," Gordon said, referring to crew chief Steve Letarte, who returns from a six-race suspension. "We have good chemistry and that late draw really played out for us. I knew it was a good lap, but maybe not good enough for the pole."

Also on the front row is Greg Biffle, who went out next-to-last, held the top spot for about 60 seconds, and finished with a qualifying time of 38.159 seconds.

Four races remain before the cutoff for the "Chase for the Nextel Cup."

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.