Catch up before the start of Saturday’s Quaker State 400 (7:30 p.m. ET)
What: Fifth annual Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts
Where: Kentucky Speedway, 1.5-mile D-shaped oval in Sparta, Ky.
When: Saturday, July 11, 2015
TV/Radio: NBC Sports Network, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 267 laps (400.5 miles)
Green Flag: 7:45 p.m. ET
Competition Caution: Lap 25
Pit Road Speed: 45 mph
Caution Car Speed: 55 mph
Fuel Window: 50 laps
On the front row | Complete lineup
(Coors Light Pole Qualifying rained out; lineup set according to 2015 NASCAR Rule Book, based on opening practice speeds)
1. Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 Chevrolet
2. Brad Keselowski, Team Penske No. 2 Ford
Failed to qualify
Ryan Blaney, Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Ford; Michael McDowell, Leavine Family Racing No. 95 Ford; Travis Kvapil, The Motorsports Group No. 30 Chevrolet.
Fastest in practice
First Practice: Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 Chevrolet (182.537 mph)
Final Practice: Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 Chevrolet (178.412 mph)
Rules recap
In case you missed it, Saturday’s 400-miler will mark the first appearance of a new, lower-downforce rules package in race conditions. A shorter spoiler, a front splitter with less overhang, and a reduction in the length of the splitter extension panel (radiator pan) are expected to raise the demands on driver control.
WATCH: Breaking down Kentucky’s new rules package
Dillon ready to return
Austin Dillon proclaimed himself a little sore but in fine physical shape to race Friday afternoon, on the eve of his first event since his Richard Childress Racing No. 3 Chevrolet took a wild tumble into the Daytona catch fencing at the end of the Coke Zero 400. Dillon emerged unhurt and will start 11th in the Quaker State 400.
“I feel pretty comfortable,” Dillon said after opening Sprint Cup practice. “I think when you take a crash like that and you’re as healthy as I feel, you feel pretty confident in the safety equipment that you have around you that you’re ready to go, and run fast.”
RELATED: No. 88 crew recalls frenzy to reach Dillon
Keselowski’s corral
In just four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in Kentucky Speedway’s history, Brad Keselowski has managed to win two, making him the only multiple winner at the 1.5-mile track. He was consistent in Friday’s pair of practices, placing second on the leaderboard both times. And he won Friday night’s XFINITY Series event.
“So far, I think we’re off to a good start,” Keselowski said after opening practice. “Of course, that’s a little self-serving because we’re fast, but I’m looking forward to finding out fully when we get to race time.”
MORE: Keselowski wins XFINITY race, gets coveted jukebox
Gordon’s void
Four-time premier series champion Jeff Gordon has won at 22 of the 23 tracks currently on the Sprint Cup calendar, save for Saturday’s venue at Kentucky Speedway. With his last chance to convert a victory for a clean career sweep of the schedule, Gordon has some extra motivation as his farewell tour continues. “It would be pretty cool if we pulled it off,” said Gordon, who will start third in his Kentucky finale.
GORDON: Close miss would be a heartbreaker
History lesson
NASCAR’s premier series began racing at Kentucky Speedway in 2011, when Kyle Busch captured the inaugural checkered flag from the pole position. The 1.5-mile track has been a regular stop for other NASCAR national series, hosting the XFINITY tour since 2001 and the Camping World Truck Series since 2000. Speedway Motorsports, Inc., took ownership of the facility in 2008.
Driver Rating
Best driver rating average at Kentucky based on past four years:
1. Kyle Busch, 124.3
2. Jimmie Johnson, 116.6
3. Brad Keselowski, 116.1
Defending race winner
Brad Keselowski, Team Penske No. 2 Ford
Former Kentucky winners in the field
Brad Keselowski (2); Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth (1).