Harvick Back On Pole
Kevin Harvick. (HHP/Andrew Coppley photo)

Harvick Back On Pole For Richmond Cup Race

RICHMOND, Va. – Kevin Harvick’s recent performance in the NASCAR Cup Series is continuing to be reflected in the starting-lineup performance matrix.

For the third time in the last six races, Harvick will lead the field to green after posting the top score between fastest lap, points position and finishing position from the last race.

Harvick leads the series standings after his win in the playoff opener at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway Sunday and posted the sixth-fastest lap time during the Cook Out Southern 500.

His performance metric score was 1.75, easily the best among the 38 drivers entered for Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.

Joey Logano will join Harvick on the front row, marking a lockout of the top two by Ford Mustangs. The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LEs of Austin Dillon, Alex Bowman and William Byron complete the top five in the order.

Two Toyota Camrys – driven by Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, respectively – will start sixth and seventh. Kurt Busch, Brad Keselowski and Aric Almirola fill out the first five rows.

Matt DiBenedetto will start lowest among the playoff contenders in 16th.

Among the non-championship-eligible drivers, Erik Jones and Jimmie Johnson will share the ninth row of the grid on Saturday – rolling off from 17th and 18th positions.

The full starting lineup and performance matrix can be viewed here.

Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 400 takes the green flag at 7:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage on NBCSN, the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.