NASCAR Michigan 2017 qualifying results: Kyle Larson takes pole with 202 mph lap
Michigan International Speedway continues to be a good track for Kyle Larson, whose first Cup Series win came last August at the 2-mile oval.
Kyle Larson’s blistering lap earned him the pole Friday in qualifying for Sunday’s FireKeeper Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
The Chip Ganassi Racing driver (202.156 mph) unseated Martin Truex Jr. (202.117 mph) and jumped to the top of the board in the final minute of the three-round knockout qualifying session. Larson won his first Monster Energy Cup Series race last August at Michigan, and earlier this season he won the pole and race at Auto Club Speedway, which is similarly sized (2 miles) to Michigan and shares many characteristics.
“I could tell by the rpm and the engine it was going to be a pretty good lap so I was happy about that to get the pole after winning here last year,” Larson said. “So, hopefully we can keep it going.”
Truex will start second, followed by Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin. It marks the for the third straight race Truex, who leads the Cup points standings, qualified second and had the pole snatched away from him in the final minute.
“Little bit disappointed there, but Kyle went out late and got us,” Truex said. “Love racing here at Michigan and hopefully have a good weekend.”
Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Jamie McMurray, Matt Kenseth, and Chase Elliott completed the top 10. Blaney recorded his first series win last week at Pocono Raceway, while Logano is the defending race winner.
Michigan native Erik Jones (14th) was the fastest rookie qualifier. Another rookie, Ty Dillon, had qualified 24th but NASCAR disallowed his time after determinig Germain Racing made unapproved body modifications to the No. 13 Chevrolet.
All 37 drivers entered will start the FireKeeper Casino 400, the 15th race of the 2017 season. Front Row Motorsports’ Landon Cassill did not post a qualifying time after crashing in practice earlier Friday. He will switch to a backup for Sunday’s race.