Back on top
Defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski broke the track record in winning the pole Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
LOUDON, N.H. — Brad Keselowski is back on top of NASCAR — at least for one race.
But he’s quickly running out of time to make it back to the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship and defend his series championship.
His first pole of the season, for Sunday’s Camping World RV Sales 301, might give him the boost he needs. Keselowski turned a lap of 135.922 mph Friday to set a track record at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Keselowski won only his third career pole and first since 2011. With eight races until the 12-driver Chase field is set, Keselowski is winless and 13th in the points standings.
“There is a sense of urgency but not a sense of panic,” Keselowski said. “I think there is a strong difference between the two. We are eager to get going, we are hungry and feel like we can do it but I don’t feel a sense of panic. There are still two months of racing essentially to get into the Chase.”
Keselowski led a fast day at the track as nine drivers beat the track record set by Ryan Newman, who went 135.232 in 2011.
Ten drivers had beaten that lap until points leader Jimmie Johnson’s secondfastest qualifying time was scrapped after his car failed inspection. His No. 48 Chevrolet, which had two issues in the prequalifying i nspection, failed after his attempt because both sides of the front were too low. He’ll start in the rear in 43rd.
“We were able to get the car right,” crew chief Chad Knaus said. “just not exactly right.”
Kurt Busch will join Keselowski on the front row. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch and Gordon round out the top five. Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, and Jeff Burton all topped Newman’s record.
DEVELOPMENTS
Harvick keeps Bud deal: Kevin Harvick will take his Budweiser sponsorship Brad Keselowski won the pole for Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and he needs a break. The defending champion is winless this season and 13th in points. with him when he moves years, you’re like, ‘Man, I to Stewart-Haas Racing need a new desk,’ ” Harnext season. vick said Friday at New
Harvick will drive the Hampshire Motor SpeedNo. 4 Chevrolet for SHR. way. “It’s just something Budweiser will be his priwhere you want a change mary sponsor for 20 races of pace. That’s one of the as well as the Budweiser pieces it all boiled down Duel during Speedweeksto.” at Daytona International Franchitti wins pole: Speedway. Budweiser will Dario Franchitti has won be a major associate sponthe pole for the first of two sor for the remaining races weekend races through the on the Sprint Cup Series streets of Toronto. schedule. Franchitti had three
Harvick has 21 Cup f lawless qualifying seswins, 96 top-fives and sions Friday to take the top 198 top-10 finishes in his starting spot in Saturday’s career. He drives the No. race. 29 for Richard Childress Sebastien Bourdais was Racing and is fourth in second in his first appearthe point standings this ance in the Fast Six this season. year. His previous best
Harvick announced qualifying effort was sevdecided last year that he enth, and this is his first was leaving the RCR team front row start since jointhat hired him in 1999. He’s ing Dragon Racing before made the Chase for the the 2012 season. Sprint Cup championship Will Power was third, the last three seasons. followed by Tony Kanaan,
“When you show up to James Jakes and Scott Dixthe same desk for 12 or 13 on.