Photo Credit: Barry Albert/Speedway Media
Rain settled in over Richmond International Raceway on Friday afternoon and halted track activity. Rain began to fall just prior to Nationwide Series qualifying putting a stop to it as well as Sprint Cup Series qualifying that was to follow.
NASCAR rules state that in the event qualifying is canceled, the line-up will be determined by practice speeds during the first practice session. The procedure handed the Coors Light Pole Award to rookie, Kyle Larson.
The pole is Larson’s first of his Sprint Cup Series career. Larson posted a lap of 126.880 mph in his AXE Peace Chevrolet to secure the top spot edging former series champion, Brad Keselowski, by just .116 seconds. The second place starting spot is the sixth front row starting spot for Keselowski
Today’s pole comes in the just the 13th career start, and first start at Richmond, for Larson, who is currently competing for rookie-of the-year honors in the series.
Michael Waltrip Racing driver, Clint Bowyer, will start third in the AAA Insurance Toyota with, Kasey Kahne, and Kevin Harvick rounding out the top-5.
The green flag will fall on the Toyota Owners 400 at 7pm local time on Saturday.
