Kurt Busch poses with the Coors Light Pole Award inheriting the pole position for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kurt was moved to the pole after his brother, Kyle Busch, failed post-qualifying tech after posting the fastest lap in qualifying. Photo by Matt Hazlett/Getty Images
For a few minutes, it was the Busch brothers on the front row for Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
But it didn’t last.
Kyle Busch turned in the fastest lap on the track, but when his No. 18 Toyota failed to pass post-qualifying tech inspection, it was brother Kurt Busch taking the pole for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.
That gives Kurt his first career pole at the Hampton, Georgia speedway. His lap at 191.582 was second fastest on the track, but in the end was good enough for the pole.
“It’s an awesome run that the car had in it,” Kurt said afterwards. “The team did a good job to dial it in for the three rounds. I was just trying to make sure I didn’t slip a tire any extra. It’s really easy to overdrive Atlanta Motor Speedway. The track challenges the driver, the car and the tires. It’s a fun place to come and try to lay down a lap.
“Overall with the way the developments came up from tech inspection, this shows the amount of enforcement that NASCAR is ready to imply to their technical procedures on what a car has to do to comply to all specs.”
Officials found that the rear toe on Busch’s Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was not within tolerance. He will start Sunday’s race from the rear of the 39 car field. No further penalties are expected.
With cars sliding around the track due to NASCAR’s new low downforce aero package, Kurt stayed in the top four through each round of qualifying, running fourth fastest in the first round and second fastest in the final two rounds.
Jamie McMurray, who led the second round of qualifying, will start second, with Trevor Bayne third, Ryan Newman fourth and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. in fifth. That gives Roush-Fenway Racing two Fords in the top five.
Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Austin Dillon, Martin Truex, Jr., rookie Brian Scott, Kasey Kahne and Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin rounded out the top 12.
Daytona 500 polesitter Chase Elliott did not fare as well on Friday. He appeared to be on his way to round two of qualifying until fellow rookie Ryan Blaney knocked him out with seconds left in the round. He will start 24th on Sunday.
Several other teams that were expected to contend for the pole also had less than stellar performances. Defending pole winner Joey Logano failed to make to round two and will start from the 26th starting position. His teammate, Brad Keselowski, was the final car to make it into round two, but would go no further. He will start 17th. Defending race winner Jimmie Johnson made it to the second round, but got no farther. He will roll off 19th on Sunday.
With only 39 cars coming out to make the 40 car field, there were no DNQs for Sunday’s race.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Atlanta Motor Speedway – Hampton, GA
Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 – Feb. 26, 2016
Friday’s Qualifying Results
1. (41) Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 191.582 mph.
2. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 190.130 mph.
3. (6) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 189.987 mph.
4. (31) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 189.961 mph.
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6. (4) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 189.779 mph.
7. (19) Carl Edwards, Toyota, 189.766 mph.
8. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 189.681 mph.
9. (78) Martin Truex, Jr., Toyota, 189.364 mph.
10. (44) Brian Scott #, Ford, 188.591 mph.
11. (5) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 187.196 mph.
12. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 190.385 mph.
13. (20) Matt Kenseth, Toyota, 190.260 mph.
14. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford, 190.182 mph.
15. (13) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 190.150 mph.
16. (88) Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Chevrolet, 189.818 mph.
17. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 189.144 mph.
18. (14) Ty Dillon(i), Chevrolet, 189.138 mph.
19. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 188.790 mph.
20. (42) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 188.719 mph.
21. (27) Paul Menard, Chevrolet, 188.713 mph.
22. (47) A.J. Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 188.636 mph.
23. (21) Ryan Blaney #, Ford, 187.449 mph.
24. (24) Chase Elliott #, Chevrolet, 189.390 mph.
25. (10) Danica Patrick, Chevrolet, 189.079 mph.
26. (22) Joey Logano, Ford, 189.041 mph.
27. (43) Aric Almirola, Ford, 188.565 mph.
28. (15) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 188.028 mph.
29. (38) Landon Cassill, Ford, 187.837 mph.
30. (7) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 187.392 mph.
31. (34) Chris Buescher #, Ford, 187.120 mph.
32. (95) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 185.903 mph.
33. (23) David Ragan, Toyota, 185.778 mph.
34. (46) Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 185.617 mph.
35. (83) Matt DiBenedetto, Toyota, 185.499 mph.
36. (98) Cole Whitt, Chevrolet, 184.039 mph.
37. (30) Josh Wise, Chevrolet, 183.820 mph.
38. (32) Jeffrey Earnhardt #, Ford, 180.769 mph.
39. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, Time Disallowed
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