Friday’s qualifying put Kenseth in pole position, the first time this season he will enter as fastest starter. Beside him: Kyle Busch. Behind him: Carl Edwards, also of Joe Gibbs Racing.
Fourth? Another Toyota, driven by Gibbs ally Martin Truex Jr. Green flag: 2:31 p.m. ET.
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Kenseth finished 0.001 of a second faster than Busch. Look out, the Toyota bunch has speed for Sunday’s race.
The evening included lengthening shadows on the track and a strong breeze. Both affected qualifying runs.
Sunday’s race will be run in sunshine with a stronger breeze.
The Hollywood Casino 400 begins at 2:31 p.m. ET. It is the second race of the Round of 12 in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, with the finale at unpredictable Talladega.
Jimmie Johnson won last week at Charlotte for a free pass to the Round of 8. He is among favorites this week.
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Five drivers had difficulty at Charlotte and are battling to get back into the eight transfer positions. Denny Hamlin, whose car blew an engine at Charlotte, is three points ahead of Chase Elliott and Austin Dillon. That is called being on the bubble … big time.
Behind them, Joey Logano and Kevin Harvick will be pushing for victory and are more than capable of coming away with one.
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