Jeff Gordon wins Cup pole at Watkins Glen, bests Marcos Ambrose, teammate Jimmie Johnson

Race cars are lined up nose-to-tail behind Jeff Gordon's race car near the garage area before a qualifying session for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Watkins Glen International, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, in Watkins Glen N.Y. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (The Associated Press)

Marcos Ambrose listens to a question during a news conference before a practice session for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Watkins Glen International, Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, in Watkins Glen N.Y. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (The Associated Press)

Jeff Gordon has won the Sprint Cup pole for the Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International.

Gordon turned a fast lap of 129.466 mph in the second and final round of knockout qualifying on the 2.45-mile road course to top Marcos Ambrose and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson.

Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch rounded out the top five. AJ Allmendinger was sixth, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Ryan Newman.

Defending race winner Kyle Busch will start 19th. Just missing the second round was five-time Watkins Glen winner Tony Stewart, who will start 13th.

Danica Patrick, who crashed in final practice on Friday and will start at the rear of the field, ran 11 laps.