Gordon turned in a solid lap of 133.136 mph to take the pole for Saturday night's Subway Fresh Fit 500 (6 p.m., FOX, Channel 13). While winning your third pole of the season (sorry, Texas didn't count because qualifying was rained out) is always nice, it's a serious curse at Phoenix.
In 20 years of racing there, no driver has ever won from the pole. Only three, including Kevin Harvick at the most recent Phoenix race in November, have won from the No. 2 position.
If superstition holds true, the racing in Phoenix will be close again - victories at Martinsville and Bristol both came down to drag races at the finish line - but don't bank on Gordon winning from the pole.
If he does, though, don't be surprised if he stays at or near the top all the way until Race 26.