Jeff Gordon gets pole for Daytona 500

The front row for the 2015 Daytona 500 has been set. 

When the race goes green on Feb. 22, it'll be Jeff Gordon sitting at the pole with teammate Jimmy Johnson in the second spot.

It was the first-ever group qualifying for "The Great American American Race." NASCAR used the three-round knockout qualifying for this year's Daytona 500.

Some NASCAR drivers blasted the new format. But for Jeff Gordon, he credits his path to the pole because of strategy.

Gordon announced last month that this would be final full season of racing. 

The rest of the field will be set Feb. 19 with Gatorade Duels.