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.