Kasey Kahne, driver of the No.5 Quaker State Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports won the pole at the newly repaved Kansas Speedway and will lead the pack off starting first on Sunday for the Hollywood Casino 400.
The track was full of uncertainties as it had underwent modifications shortly after the Spring race to give the track fresh pavement and add 17-20 degree banking in the turns, but Kahne was able to hold on to capture his fourth pole of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
“It’s fast, it’s smooth and it’s a great track,” Kahne said. “We’ve run pretty good here in the past. It doesn’t feel anything like the old track, but we had a really good balance today and were able to put down a good lap.”
It was his 26th career pole and third at Kansas. Now is a great time to pick up your favorite Kasey Kahne fan gear, great for Christmas presents or for yourself.
All 46 drivers that made an attempt to qualify broke Matt Kenseth’s old track record of 180.856. Kahne’s qualifying lap speed was 191.360
Mark Martin came close in second with a speed of 191.238, followed by last weekends winner Clint Bowyer with a speed of 191.238.
Greg Biffle was fastest during practice but ended up qualifying a solid 11th. Regan Smith who is sitting in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the second week due to his concussion is starting all the way back in 39th position.
Points leader Brad Keselowski will start Sunday’s race in 25th after a lousy qualifying run. Drivers that did not qualify were David Stremme, Cole Whitt and Josh Wise.
Full lineup for Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway below, Chase drivers are in RED.
- Kasey Kahne
- Mark Martin
- Clint Bowyer
- Kyle Busch
- Aric Almirola
- Ryan Newman
- Jimmie Johnson
- Joey Logano
- Denny Hamlin
- Kevin Harvick
- Greg Biffle
- Matt Kenseth
- AJ Allmendinger
- Paul Menard
- Sam Hornish Jr.
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Carl Edwards
- Marcos Ambrose
- Jeff Gordon
- Jeff Burton
- Jamie McMurray
- Bobby Labonte
- Michael McDowell
- Juan Pablo Montoya
- Brad Keselowski
- Landon Cassill
- JJ Yeley
- Casey Mears
- Kurt Busch
- Mike Bliss
- Travis Kvapil
- Trevor Bayne
- Tony Stewart
- Reed Sorenson
- Scott Speed
- Joe Nemechek
- David Ragan
- David Gilliland
- Regan Smith
- Danica Patrick
- Dave Blaney
- Timmy Hill
- Kelly Bires