JGR driver tops rain-shortened qualifying session
RELATED: Virginia529 College Savings 250 lineup
Kyle Busch topped all others in a rain-soaked NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying session to pick up his sixth Coors Light Pole Award of the season Friday at Richmond International Raceway.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver will start at the head of the field for Friday’s Virginia529 College Savings 250 (7:30 p.n. ET, ESPN2) after picking up his fourth career pole at the 0.75-mile short track. His best speed of 120.903 mph was just enough to best Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney, who clocked in at 120.498 and will join Busch on the front row.
The session was delayed twice due to rain before the first session completed. Due to time constraints, NASCAR chose to forego the final session and crown Busch the winner.
Thursday, severe rainfall amounts caused flooding in the Nationwide Series garage area, causing tires to float away and teams to place cars on jackstands to avoid sustaining water damage. The associated lightning forced spotters off their rooftop perch at 3:20 p.m. ET before the first wave of rain 10 minutes later brought an early end to final Nationwide practice.
Nationwide points leader Chase Elliott was fourth at 120.155, followed by Kyle Larson at 119.941. Brian Scott (119.931) will join Matt Kenseth (119.713) on Row 3, while his Richard Childress Racing teammates Brendan Gaughan (119.591) and Ty Dillon (119.554) will line up behind him.
Trevor Bayne (119.532) and Dylan Kwasniewski (119.495) rounded out the top 10.
Sprint Cup Series regular Kevin Harvick (119.342) will start 15th.
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