Sprint Cup qualifyng rained out in Georgia

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HAMPTON, Ga., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Rain washed out Sprint Cup Series qualifying for the third straight week Friday and forced NASCAR to set the field for Sunday's Pep Boys Auto 500.

Jimmie Johnson will start on the pole position for the third consecutive race. Johnson, who won last Sunday's race at Martinsville, has extended his points lead to 149 with four races remaining in the season.

Johnson won last year's fall race at Atlanta as part of his four-race winning streak en route to his second consecutive series title.

Greg Biffle, currently second in the standings, will start on the outside pole.

"We certainly don't want to see Jimmie get that first pit box every single week, but at the same time, you could make a little mistake qualifying and not be able to start up front," Biffle said. "I'm not complaining about starting up front. Everybody tried just so hard to get this qualifying in, but it's just still raining."