Kahne grabs the AdvoCare 500 pole

Kasey Kahne won the pole for Sunday’s AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway with a lap of 29.775 seconds (186.196 mph). It was Kahne’s 22nd career pole and third at the speedway.

[media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”238″][/media-credit]“It was a good lap. I was a little on the tight side so I had to slow down more than I would have liked getting into the corner, but once it did turn I had tons of grip and was able to get off turn two really well and down the backstretch turns three and four was pretty good too. Just worked out and worked out well for us. Definitely wasn’t a perfect lap, but it must have just been a little better than anyone else’s.” Kahne said.

Clint Bowyer will start outside the front row after turning a lap in 29.819 seconds.

“That is a good start. Our Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet has been speed-wise all weekend long. We worried a little bit about our long runs today in practice. You can’t put too much emphasis on that, it was so hot today.” Bowyer said.

Kyle Busch will start third with a lap of 29.832 seconds (185.841 mph).

“Can’t say enough about all these guys on this Pedigree Camry. They did a great job this weekend. Done a real nice job. Hoping this is a little bit of an omen maybe for tomorrow night and we can go win one million bucks for some race fans with us.” Busch said.

Brian Vickers will start fourth with a lap of 29.832 seconds (185.772 mph).

“I thought we were better than that. It was a good run. The guys on the Red Bull Toyota did a good job — probably one of the best cars we’ve had in a while. Really proud of that. Think we’re going to be really good in the race tomorrow too. I guess I’m satisfied – pleased, but not satisfied.” Vickers said.

Four time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon will start fifth.

“For when we went and the conditions, I thought that was a good lap time. It was a big pickup from yesterday. I think with all these clouds, guys will beat us. Just happy with the improvements we’ve been able to make and the performance we’ve been having lately. I feel like we have a really good race car.” Gordon said.

David Starr will represent race sponsor AdvoCare in the 43rd starting position.