Toyota dominates qualifying as Hamlin sets track record at Martinsville

Joe Gibbs Racing definitely have Martinsville figured out. JGR took three of the top five spots on Friday during qualifying. Hamlin was the fastest with a lap of 99.595 mph to score his fifth pole of the season.

Hamlin’s JGR teammates, championship contenders Kyle Busch and Matt Kenseth will start third and fourth respectively. Busch actually tied outside pole sitter, Jimmie Johnson with a lap of 99.344 mph, but Johnson got the spot based on tiebreaker (owner’s points) per the NASCAR rulebook.

Toyota have plenty to brag about as Michael Waltrip Racing driver, Clint Bowyer, put his Toyota Camry in the top five as well giving the manufacturer four of the top five spots.

Joey Logano and David Ragan were the two fastest Fords on the day. Logano will start his Shell Pennzoil Ford in sixth, with Ragan’s Taco Bell Ford rolling off eighth.

Last week’s winner, Jamie McMurray continues to run well. He will start seventh in his McDonalds Chevrolet. McMurray mentioned last week that he wanted to get a win for sponsor McDonalds, because they haven’t been able to get them in victory lane. Cessna was on the car last week at Talladega.

Jeff Gordon and Kevin Harvick round out the top-10. Gordon will start ninth and Harvick rolls off tenth.

Other notables: Defending champion, Brad Keselowski starts 11^th. Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start 12^th. Rookie Kyle Larson will take the green in 26^th on Sunday. Elliott Sadler posted the 35^th fastest lap in his debut with Michael Waltrip Racing.

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Roger Holtsclaw

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