Kurt Busch, the first champion under the Chase format in 2004, qualified third at 183.032 in a Dodge and Ryan Newman was fourth in a Chevrolet at 183.007 mph.
Kenseth, who has 12 seasons in NASCAR’s top division, is not known for his qualifying record. It was Kenseth’s second pole of the year and only sixth in his career.
"My cars have just been fast and driving really good," Kenseth said. "I have always tried really hard. I have probably done a little better job at not overdriving the car. That has been a fault of mine in qualifying in the past, overdriving and driving the corner too hard and messing up the rest of the it.”
The Chase is a 10-race playoff for the top ten drivers in points and two drivers with wild cards based on wins.
Kenseth is optimistic this a good start in his quest for a second title.
“I think starting up front is nice, having a good pit stall. Hopefully, you can get a good start and get a bonus point (for leading a lap) and try to keep up with the track a little better.”
Menard was happy with the progress of the team after a slow start in practice. “We struggled bad yesterday honestly. Fought loose off since we unloaded, just couldn’t get it tightened up,” he said.
“But we’ve come a long way. Made a lot of positive adjustments for sure. This is probably the closest track we go to race at (near his Wisconsin home) so it is kind of my home track and lots of friends and family here.”
Other drivers who are seeded in the Chase, and where they will take Sunday’s green flag are Kurt Busch (third), Brad Keselowski (sixth), Kyle Busch (ninth), Jimmie Johnson (12th), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (19th), Jeff Gordon (23rd), Tony Stewart (26th), Denny Hamlin (27th) and Kevin Harvick (30th).
Drivers who failed to qualify Travis Kvapil, David Starr, Stephen Leicht and Mike Skinner.
Kenseth, who has 12 seasons in NASCAR’s top division, is not known for his qualifying record. It was Kenseth’s second pole of the year and only sixth in his career.
"My cars have just been fast and driving really good," Kenseth said. "I have always tried really hard. I have probably done a little better job at not overdriving the car. That has been a fault of mine in qualifying in the past, overdriving and driving the corner too hard and messing up the rest of the it.”
The Chase is a 10-race playoff for the top ten drivers in points and two drivers with wild cards based on wins.
Kenseth is optimistic this a good start in his quest for a second title.
“I think starting up front is nice, having a good pit stall. Hopefully, you can get a good start and get a bonus point (for leading a lap) and try to keep up with the track a little better.”
Menard was happy with the progress of the team after a slow start in practice. “We struggled bad yesterday honestly. Fought loose off since we unloaded, just couldn’t get it tightened up,” he said.
“But we’ve come a long way. Made a lot of positive adjustments for sure. This is probably the closest track we go to race at (near his Wisconsin home) so it is kind of my home track and lots of friends and family here.”
Other drivers who are seeded in the Chase, and where they will take Sunday’s green flag are Kurt Busch (third), Brad Keselowski (sixth), Kyle Busch (ninth), Jimmie Johnson (12th), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (19th), Jeff Gordon (23rd), Tony Stewart (26th), Denny Hamlin (27th) and Kevin Harvick (30th).
Drivers who failed to qualify Travis Kvapil, David Starr, Stephen Leicht and Mike Skinner.