Johnson, the three-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion, recorded a time of two minutes, 1.416 seconds in the qualifying session that requires the already eligible all-star drivers to complete three laps around the 1.5-mile oval and a pit stop for four tires.

"I'm so proud of this," Johnson said. "We get that trophy, and it was a team effort tonight. I just can't thank my guys enough for all of their hard work."

Johnson will start on the pole for the first time in eight all-star appearances. He won the event in 2003 and '06.

Kurt Busch grabbed the outside pole after posting a time of 2:01.187.

"Our car handled great for its qualifying lap, and then maybe I screwed up a little bit coming to pit road," Busch said.

Matt Kenseth qualified third, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin, winner of last weekend's Darlington race.

Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Kasey Kahne, the defending race winner, Kevin Harvick and rookie Brad Keselowski completed the top-10.

Kyle Busch was the last of the 18 drivers to make his qualifying attempt. Busch was second quickest after he crossed the finish line, but a five-second penalty for a missing lugnut during his pit stop relegated him to the 13th starting position.

Tony Stewart left his pits before his team could change his left-side tire, forcing Stewart to reverse into his pit stall for the remaining tires.

"I think I was so keyed up to go that I just screwed up when the jack went," Stewart said.

Stewart will start 15th.

Denny Hamlin did not finish his qualifying attempt. Hamlin suffered mechanical problems after he pitted. He'll start 18th.

Rain earlier in the evening forced the cancellation of qualifying for the Sprint Showdown.

The starting field for Saturday's 40-lap preliminary race for the all-star event was set by the qualifying draw.

Kirk Shelmerdine and Carl Long had secured the front row, but both drivers will have to start from the rear of the field. Shelmerdine wrecked his car during practice, while Long made an engine change.

Therefore, David Stremme will lead the field to the green flag. Dave Blaney will roll off second, followed by Scott Riggs, Martin Truex Jr. and David Ragan.

Sam Hornish Jr., Max Papis, AJ Allmendinger, Juan Pablo Montoya and Mike Wallace will start sixth through 10th, respectively.

The top-two finishers in the Sprint Showdown and the winner of the Sprint Fan Vote on Saturday will advance into the main event to complete the 21-car field.

NASCAR's annual all-star event ran in four 25-lap segments in 2008, but in celebration of its silver anniversary, this year's format will be divided into four different segments.

For the first time since 2001, the event will feature a 10-lap shootout as its final segment.

Saturday's Sprint Showdown is scheduled to start around 7:30 p.m. (et), and the Sprint All-Star race is slated for approximately 9:00 p.m.