Jimmie Johnson will go for an unprecedented fourth straight Cup championship from the pole position after qualifying up front Friday to secure the top starting spot in today's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Johnson needs to finish in 25th place or better to secure a record-setting title. Johnson ran a lap at 173.919 mph to start up front, while Scott Speed took advantage of his late draw and qualified second with a lap of 172.695 mph after being the last driver to qualify.

Johnson enters the Ford 400 with a 108-point lead over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Mark Martin, who is mathematically still in the Chase for the Cup but would have to lead the most laps and win to have a puncher's chance of claiming the title. Martin is the only other Chase driver that has the chance to overtake his teammate for the title.Johnson is clearly in control of his own destiny, all the defending champ has to do is drive up front part of the race and be among the upper half of finishing drivers in today's race.

Marcos Ambrose qualified in the third spot, posting a lap at 172.678 followed by Martin in fourth. Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Bill Elliott, and Clint Bowyer round out the top 10 qualifying positions.

Johnson signed a contract extension on Friday with Hendrick to drive through the 2015 season, a few days before he competes for his fourth-consecutive championship. Lowe's, the home improvement chain and Johnson's primary car sponsor, also signed an extension with Hendrick to be Johnson's sponsor on the No. 48 Chevrolet through the 2013 season.

Crew chief Chad Knaus will most likely be next to sign an extension with HMS, as talks have begun to stay in line with Johnson's contract. Knaus and Johnson have been paired up since Johnson's rookie year in 2002, and his current contract runs through the 2010 season.

NASCAR jimmie johnson, mark martin, nextel cup series