Kurt Busch claims pole for ‘roval’ race

CONCORD, N.C. — Kurt Busch won the pole for the NASCAR playoff race at the new “roval” at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a hybrid of the road course and oval that has drivers concerned with the complexity of the circuit.

Busch, who is eighth in the playoff standings, will be joined by non-playoff contender A.J. Allmendinger on the front row Sunday.

The roval is unlike anything used before in NASCAR — the 17-turn, 2.28-mile course has a 35-foot change in elevation. Given that it’s an elimination race with 12 of 16 drivers advancing, it has the field even more on edge.

Denny Hamlin, one of four drivers on the outside looking in at the top 12 in the standings, wrecked earlier in qualifying and will start 27th. Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson and Erik Jones — the other three outside the line — qualified in the top 12, with Johnson starting sixth. NASCAR’s “Big Three” also struggled. Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. all failed to reach the final round of qualifying and will start outside of the top 12.

“To figure this place out is a little tricky,” said Truex Jr., who has already secured a spot in the next round of the playoffs.

Brad Keselowski, who is one of the hottest drivers in the field coming into the race, also failed to reach the final round.

Xfinity Series

The Xfinity Series resumes Saturday afternoon with the 125.4-mile, 55-lap Drive for the Cure 200 at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s road course.

Drivers practiced Friday afternoon before the 3 p.m. race Saturday.

Last weekend on the circuit, Christopher Bell won from the pole in Richmond. He came to Charlotte with a 28point lead over Daniel Hemric. Justin Allgaier is third.

Off the track, JR Motorsports announced Tuesday that Noah Gragson will join its Xfinity team next season. Gragson, 20, will pilot the No. 1 Chevrolet on a deal to replace Elliott Sadler, who is retiring from full-time racing. Gragson, second in the truck series, has posted top-10 finishes in all three of his Xfinity runs in 2018.