Sprint Cup qualifying washed by rain

Rain washed of Sprint Cup qualifying for the third consecutive week Friday, forcing NASCAR to set the field on points at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

It gave Johnson the top starting spot, and put the 11 drivers chasing him for the title right on his bumper. Greg Biffle, who trails Johnson by 149 points with four races to go, will start second.

Jeff Burton, who is 152 points out, starts third in Sunday’s race.

“It makes it sort of boring, takes the excitement out of it because the 12 guys are starting right there,” Biffle said. “A lot of times we’re talking about, `well, this guy is starting 30th, and this guy is 18th.’ Other than that, it’s kind of uneventful for us.” Read more