Harvick Steals Pole From Chase Contenders

By Joe Jennings

HOMESTEAD, FLA. – With the spotlight on the four Championship 4 contenders, Kevin Harvick swooped by the quartet, securing the pole position for Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400, the 36th and final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in 2016.

Driving the Jimmy John’s Chevrolet, Harvick rocked around the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway oval at a speed of 177.637 miles per hour to secure his 17th pole and the second this season.

Said Harvick, “I didn’t know if we had a chance at the pole with as fast as the No. 24 (Chase Elliott) had been. But I knew if we could just run the same speed every round, that is half the battle because you never know how much it is going to slow down for everybody else, and it doesn’t take much to make a mistake. I’m really proud of everybody on our Jimmy John’s team.”

Brad Keselowski grabbed the outside front-row starting position with a run of 177.538 mph.

Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin were third and fourth fastest, and they were trailed by Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Matt Kenseth and rookie Ryan Blaney.

Chase contenders Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards qualified for the fifth row and took speed honors among the quartet of championship contenders.

Joey Logano and six-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson qualified next to each other in row seven.

The foursome was perplexed with the outcome, and their teams have two practice sessions on Saturday to improve upon the cars.

Sandwiched between the four Chase foes were Tony Stewart and A. J. Allmendinger.

NBC will telecast Sunday’s main event at 2:30 p.m. ET.