AVONDALE, Ariz.—Jimmie Johnson moved a step closer to a third consecutive Sprint Cup title by winning the pole Friday at Phoenix International Speedway.

Johnson, the defending race winner, turned a lap of 134.725 mph in his Chevrolet to earn the top starting spot Sunday. If he gains 57 more points than Carl Edwards, Johnson would only need to start the season finale to become the first driver since Cale Yarborough (1976-78) to win three straight titles.

“That’s really the bottom line is we need to be 162 up leaving here, then all I have to do is go down the...

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