Kansas City, KS (Sports Network) - A.J. Allmendinger topped Kevin Harvick in
Saturday's qualifying session at Kansas Speedway to take the pole for the STP
400.
Allmendinger, who is in his first season as driver of the No. 22 Dodge for
Penske Racing, posted a lap at 175.993 mph for his second pole in his 160th
Sprint Cup Series start. His first pole came in April 2010 at Phoenix when he
drove for Richard Petty Motorsports.
Earlier this month, Allmendinger finished a career-best second at Martinsville
Speedway.
"We're just trying to build momentum, and I love being a part of this race
team," Allmendinger said. "I put so much pressure on my shoulders to go out
there and perform. They are so used to winning, running up front and getting
poles. It's good to build momentum, so hopefully we'll have a solid 400 miles
tomorrow."
Last year, Kurt Busch drove the No. 22 car to the pole for the spring race at
Kansas. Busch is now behind the wheel of the No. 51 Phoenix Racing Chevrolet,
qualifying 14th for this race.
Harvick's lap at 175.747 mph put him on the outside pole.
"These guys have done a great job with qualifying this year," Harvick said.
"We were off in practice yesterday. We made some great adjustments."
Joey Logano qualified third but will have to start from the rear of the field
due to an engine change. Logano experienced an issue with his engine during
Friday's practice. His Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Denny Hamlin, was fourth.
Michael Waltrip Racing teammates Mark Martin and Martin Truex Jr., who won the
pole last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, qualified fifth and sixth,
respectively.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kansas native Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne and Sam Hornish
Jr. completed the top-10. Hornish, a Nationwide Series regular, is making his
first Sprint Cup start this season with Penske.
Greg Biffle, the current points leader and Texas race winner, will start 17th.
Biffle holds a 19-point lead over his Roush Fenway Racing teammate, Matt
Kenseth, and Earnhardt Jr. Kenseth qualified one spot behind Biffle in 18th.
Tim Andrews, Jeff Green and Tony Raines failed to qualify for Sunday's 400-
mile race, which is scheduled to start just after 1 p.m. (et).
The Sports Network