Bristol, Tenn. ? Jeff Gordon counted out the five wins he has this season, then his five poles. It was an hour before qualifying, and Gordon set a goal for himself.

“I think I want to make it six and six this weekend,” he said.

Gordon took the first step Friday, winning the pole for the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway with a speed of 128.520 mph.

It was the 52nd pole of his career, series-best sixth this season, and put him in perfect contention for his — you guessed it — sixth Bristol victory tonight.

His last win here came in 2002, when he snapped his 31-race winless streak by winning the night race. Gordon celebrated that victory as if it was the first of his career.

“That was really spectacular for me,” Gordon said. “It’s a place that just surviving is one thing and to win is amazing. I love this track, it reminds me of the short track days, and I love putting these big heavy cars on it.”

Gordon has proven to be a master at Bristol — at least when it comes to qualifying. The No. 24 Chevrolet has started on the pole the past three night races and has been on the front row the last six events.

Rookie Kasey Kahne, who qualified second in the No. 9 Dodge with a lap of 127.410 mph, knows getting around Gordon on race night won’t be easy.

“He has a knack for this place,” Kahne said. “He is always very good at this place, and I think Jeff Gordon is just an excellent driver here.”

Tennessee native Sterling Marlin qualified third in a Dodge.