Gordon won his first pole of the season with a qualifying lap of 191.117 mph at the 1 1/2-mile, high-banked track where he got his only victory of the season in April. It was his first win in Texas.
It is the 68th career pole for the four-time champion, who is third in the standings this season.
Points leader Jimmie Johnson, who is going for his unprecedented fourth consecutive title, qualified 12th.
Mark Martin, who is second 184 points behind, starts seventh Sunday.
