Rain Washes Out Qualifying; Gordon Gets Pole at Watkins Glen

The weather brought bad news to six drivers who won't make Sunday's race including Boris Said.

Denny Hamlin, who will start second, led the first practice session. Photo courtesy: theglen.com

WATKINS GLEN, NY - Rain forced NASCAR officials to cancel Friday's scheduled NEXTEL Cup Series qualifying for the Centurion Boats at The Glen and Sunday's race line-up will be determined by the owner standings.

That puts series point leader Jeff Gordon on the pole flanked by Denny Hamlin, who was fastest in the first practice session.

Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton and Tony Stewart will round out the top five.

The weather brought bad news to six drivers who won't make Sunday's race including Boris Said, who lost out the last time rain wiped out qualifying back at the Pepsi 400 in July.

Said had the provisional pole in that instance.

Marcos Ambrose was another who was disappointed as he was shooting to make his first NEXTEL Cup start in the No. 77 Ford fielded by Robby Gordon.

Klaus Graf, Ward Burton, A.J. Allmendinger and Brian Simo also will miss the race.

Sunday's Centurion Boats at The Glen is slated for a 1 p.m. (ET) green flag.

Adding comments to these stories has been disabled. View the current sports stories Salem-News Sports