Bristol: GM rain-out qualifying notes

A Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS will start on the pole for Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champion, Tony Stewart, will start from the pole position after the starting grid was determined by rule book provisions due to inclement weather.

Tony Stewart, No. 20 Home Depot Monte Carlo SS - Starting first "It sure makes your day a lot easier if you can start up front and stay there during the race. Track position is a big deal at Bristol because it's so hard to pass. So when I woke up this morning and saw that it was raining... while most other people were annoyed with the weather I was actually pretty happy with it. Granted, I would've been more than happy to go out there and earn a good starting spot, but if rain puts me on the pole, so be it."

Of the 43 starting positions in Sunday's race, 21 drivers will pilot a Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.

Jeff Gordon, who will start 11th in the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet, has the most wins at Bristol of any active NASCAR Nextel Cup driver with a total of five victories.

Current points leader Jimmie Johnson in the No. 48 Lowe's Monte Carlo SS will start the race from the fifth position.

Drivers will take the green flag for the Food City 500 on Sunday at 2:10 p.m. eastern time. The race will be televised live on FOX with pre-race coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m.

-gm racing-