Harvick on pole; Larson in back
CONCORD, N.C. — Kevin Harvick was all smiles during qualifying Thursday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but NASCAR Cup Series points leader Kyle Larson was left bitter and frustrated heading into an important weekend of racing.
Harvick will start in the pole position at Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 after turning a lap of 193.424 mph on the 1 1/2-mile oval, and Larson will begin NASCAR’s longest race at the rear of the field after his No. 42 Chevrolet failed to get through prequalifying inspection in time for him to make a qualifying lap.
“I know all of the teams hate it,” Larson said about the prequalifying system. “The teams point at NASCAR, and NASCAR points at the teams. It’s all confusing to me.”
Larson had hit the wall in practice, which didn’t help his cause because it set his crew behind working on repairs. It turns out there was nothing wrong, but the crew didn’t get the car on the platform right away. Once it passed inspection, Larson couldn’t get the engine to start and ran out of time.
For Harvick, it was his third pole this season and 20th overall.
“It was breathtaking because it was so edgy to drive,” Harvick said. “But loose is fast. … We have been running well, and tonight was no different. It was a hairy lap, but the car went well through turns three and four.”
Kyle Busch, the All-Star race winner last Saturday at CMS, will start alongside Harvick on the front row. Chase Elliott will start third, followed by Matt Kenseth, Erik Jones and Denny Hamlin.
The Coca-Cola 600 will feature four stages, instead of the normal three for most NASCAR races. Harvick said while he doesn’t think it will change anyone’s strategy, it will definitely impact the points standings.
“It’s long, it’s hot and it’s a demanding race track,” Harvick said. “You better be ready physically and mentally to hold that pace for four or five hours.”