Charlotte, NC: Jimmie Johnson wins pole, followed by Mark Martin, starting second. This makes the first two positions Hendrick cars and sends a message to the rest of the field that when it comes to Lowes motor speedway Rick Hendrick means business. Jimmie Johnson comes into Charlotte with a 12 point lead after winning the Pepsi 500 in California. Johnson is always a perennial threat to win at Lowes Motor Speedway. This is a key race. If the rest of the field wants to catch Jimmie Johnson, they need to step up. Johnson, who is trying to become a 4 time champion, is clearly in the drivers seat to do it.