Brad Keselowski earned his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pole since 2017 on Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. (HHP/Harold Hinson Photo)
Brad Keselowski earned his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pole since 2017 on Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. (HHP/Harold Hinson Photo)

Keselowski Scores First Pole In Nearly Two Years

LOUDON, N.H. – Brad Keselowski notched his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pole of the season on Friday afternoon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Driving Roger Penske’s No. 2 Ford Mustang, Keselowski secured the 14th pole of his career with a 27.927-second lap at 136.384 mph. He edged Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch by .015 of a second to earn the top spot for Sunday’s Foxwoods Resort Casino 301.

“It’s been awhile since we’ve had a pole,” Keselowski said after his first pole since 2017 at Michigan Int’l Speedway. “We’ve had really good cars, but haven’t always been able to make the most it with the driver in qualifying, so it’s nice to get one here in Loudon with the Alliance Truck Parts group.”

Kurt Busch, fresh off his first victory with Chip Ganassi Racing last week at Kentucky Speedway, qualified third in the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Erik Jones will line up fourth, followed by Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney in fifth.

Martin Truex Jr., Matt DiBenedetto, Joey Logano, Aric Almirola and Jimmie Johnson completed the top-10 in qualifying. The top-seven drivers were separated by .081 of a second.

Alex Bowman will start last in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 after breaking a driveshaft during his qualifying attempt. His team has chosen to switch to a backup car.

Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 Starting Lineup

1. Brad Keselowski
2. Kyle Busch
3. Kurt Busch
4. Erik Jones
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Martin Truex Jr.
7. Matt DiBenedetto
8. Joey Logano
9. Aric Almirola
10. Jimmie Johnson
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
12. Chase Elliott
13. Daniel Suarez
14. Kevin Harvick
15. Kyle Larson
16. Clint Bowyer
17. Paul Menard
18. Ty Dillon
19. Daniel Hemric
20. David Ragan
21. Austin Dillon
22. William Byron
23. Denny Hamlin
24. Michael McDowell
25. Chris Buescher
26. Ryan Newman
27. Bubba Wallace
28. Ryan Preece
29. Corey LaJoie
30. Matt Tifft
31. Landon Cassill
32. Ross Chastain
33. Reed Sorenson
34. Quin Houff
35. Andy Seuss
36. Austin Theriault
37. Alex Bowman