Matt Kenseth wins the pole for Ford EcoBoost 400

In the battle for the championship, give round one to Matt Kenseth as he scored his third pole of the season on Friday afternoon at Ford EcoBoost 400. The 41-year-old lapped the Homestead-Miami Speedway track in 30.394 seconds to take the top spot.

Kenseth comes into the final race of the season sitting second in points behind Jimmie Johnson. Johnson can clinch the championship by finishing 23rd or better. However, if Johnson finishes 24th or worst, the door opens up for Kenseth to take the title. Johnson qualified seventh.

Kurt Busch posted the second quickest lap behind the wheel of his No. 78 Furniture Row/Denver Mattress Chevrolet. This marks Busch’s final start with the Furniture Row Racing team as he moves to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014.

Penske Racing teammates Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski qualified third and fourth, respectively. Denny Hamlin rounded out the top five.

Kevin Harvick, who has a slim chance to win the championship should he win the race while Johnson finishes last and Kenseth struggles, qualified in the sixth positon. Johnson qualified seventh followed by Martin Truex Jr., Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Elliott Sadler.

About the Author

Ashley McCubbin

Joining OnPitRoad.com mid-2013 season, Ashley McCubbin is now the Managing Editor and contributes to each racing division as needed. Since studying journalism at the University of Guelph-Humber, Ashley has published articles on a couple of different websites, while serving as a public relations representative for different short track teams. Born in North York, Ontario, Ashley currently lives in Bradford, Ontario and spends her weekend at the local short tracks in the area. She has spent her entire life at the short track level, falling in love with the sport at the age of five. Beyond her love of short track racing, she also has grown an interest for both NASCAR and the IndyCar Racing Series. She also enjoys taking photos and working on websites, while playing a couple rounds of Candy Crush afterwards.

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