Larson takes 2nd pole in row at Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. — Kyle Larson proved again that he knows his way around Sonoma.

Larson claimed the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series race today on his home track for the second straight year, turning a lap at 94.597 mph in his Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet on Saturday.

Larson earned his sixth career pole and his second on the familiar road course at Sonoma Raceway. The 25-yearold driver grew up in the Sacramento suburbs and attended races at this track as a fan of fellow Northern Californian Jeff Gordon.

“Qualifying here is one of my favorite things of the year,” Larson said. “I’m glad we could pick up a lot of time there and get the pole.”

Larson edged Martin Truex Jr., who will start on the front row after turning a lap at 94.484 mph. Chase Elliott qualified in third, and Larson teammate Jamie McMurray was fourth.

Although Larson enjoys this track, he still hasn’t won a NASCAR race here. He didn’t finish better than 12th in his first four races, and he finished 26th last season in a typically contact-filled race after starting from the pole.

“Well, I have a long ways to go to get better at racing here,” Larson said. “I can always qualify good here for some reason, but racing seems to be a struggle, for whatever reason. I smoke the tires off it. I’ve been working hard to get better each and every year.”

William Byron was the highest-qualifying rookie in eighth. The youngster spent several hours in the simulator to prepare for the Sonoma course.

INDYCAR: In Elkhart Lake, Wis., defending IndyCar series champion Josef Newgarden won the pole Saturday for today’s race at Road America, leading a Team Penske sweep of the front row.

Newgarden turned in a lap time of 1 minute, 43.20 seconds for his fifth career pole and second straight after taking pole position two weeks ago at Texas.

He edged teammate Will Power by 0.05 seconds.

Andretti Autosport drivers locked down the second row for the 222-mile race, with Ryan Hunter-Reay starting third and Alexander Rossi taking fourth.

Rookie Robert Wickens will start fifth. Points leader Scott Dixon will start eighth, his lowest starting position since qualifying ninth for the Indy 500 last month.