CONCORD, N.C. – Kevin Harvick has earned the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series’ debut on the Daytona Int’l Speedway road course this Sunday.
Harvick was awarded the pole based on NASCAR’s new competition-based formula. The new formula utilizes a driver’s finishing position from the most recent race (weighted at 50%), owner points position (35%) and the fastest lap from the previous race (15%).
This is the first time NASCAR has utilized this new formula. NASCAR most recently used a random draw to set starting fields in its three national divisions following the sport’s return to competition amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Denny Hamlin, a winner of five NASCAR Cup Series races this year for Joe Gibbs Racing, will join Harvick on the front row for Sunday’s race. Another pair of Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas driven by Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch will start third and fourth, respectively.
The remainder of the top-10 includes Joey Logano, Aric Almirola, Chase Elliott, Kurt Busch, Matt DiBenedetto and Austin Dillon.
GoBowling 235 Starting Lineup
1. Kevin Harvick
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Martin Truex Jr.
4. Kyle Busch
5. Joey Logano
6. Aric Almirola
7. Chase Elliott
8. Kurt Busch
9. Matt DiBendetto
10. Austin Dillon
11. Jimmie Johnson
12. Clint Bowyer
13. William Byron
14. Ryan Newman
15. Christopher Bell
16. Matt Kenseth
17. Brad Keselowski
18. Tyler Reddick
19. Bubba Wallace
20. Erik Jones
21. Chris Buescher
22. Ryan Preece
23. Ty Dillon
24. Ryan Blaney
25. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
26. Cole Custer
27. Alex Bowman
28. John Hunter Nemechek
29. Corey LaJoie
30. Michael McDowell
31. Daniel Suarez
32. J.J. Yeley
33. Brennan Poole
34. Reed Sorenson
35. Quin Houff
36. Garrett Smithley
37. Timmy Hill
38. James Davison
39. Brendan Gaughan