NASCAR notes: Qualifying rained out; Johnson to start on pole

Johnson to start from pole on points

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Jimmie Johnson last started from the pole at Talladega Superspeedway in 2002, as the points leader, lined up next to Mark Martin.

He didn't even make it to the first lap.

In a bizarre prerace mishap as the drivers were warming up their tires, a problem with Martin's steering box caused him to run into Johnson. The two cars skidded into the infield grass, Johnson suffered damage to the front of his Chevrolet, and had dropped to the back of the field when the race began.

"Did you bring that same steering box back?" Jeff Gordon asked Martin yesterday after rain washed out qualifying at Talladega.

The inclement weather led NASCAR to cancel the qualifying session and set the field for today's Amp Energy 500 on points -- which put Johnson and Martin side by side again, with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Gordon right behind them in the second row.

Dodge's Challenger set for Nationwide

Dodge is giving its NASCAR Nationwide entry more than a facelift when the series introduces its own version of the Car of Tomorrow in 2010.

The company is switching from the Charger to the Challenger for four races next season, coinciding with the implementation of the new Nationwide car that will be fully integrated into the series in 2011. Dodge unveiled the updated Challenger on Friday.

Toyota and Chevrolet followed suit yesterday, showing off revamped models of the Camry and Impala. Ford presented its new Nationwide Mustang at Roush Fenway Racing this month. The cars are scheduled for tire testing at the massive oval tomorrow.

The cars will debut at Daytona in July. Dodge will provide two Nationwide cars for Penske Racing.

Injured fan on Edwards' mind

Carl Edwards already knows what he's going to do with the trophy if he can snap his season-long winless streak today.

Edwards plans to give the trophy to Blake Bobbitt, who suffered facial injuries following Edwards' spectacular last-lap crash during the spring race at Talladega. Edwards was attempting to block Brad Keselowski when the two made contact starting off a chain of events that ended with Edwards No. 99 Ford hurtling into the catch fence along the front straightaway.

Several fans were injured as debris flew into the crowd. Bobbitt was airlifted to a hospital and had surgery on her jaw after debris from the crash came through the fence. She recovered in time to graduate from high school, but will face at least one more surgery.

-- From Wire Reports