Biffle captures the Bank of America 500 pole

[media-credit name=”Brad Keppel” align=”alignright” width=”212″][/media-credit]CONCORD, NC – A cold night at Charlotte Motor Speedway set up qualifying for the Bank of America 500 to favor those that went late in qualify. At least that was the plan and for most of the night, the script was followed. That was until Greg Biffle rolled his 3M Ford onto the track. Biffle was the 32nd car onto the track, but when the dust had settled, Biffle found that his 193.708 lap had put him on the pole for Saturday night’s race.

Joining Biffle on the front row will be former teammate Mark Martin. No one seemed to challenge Biffle until Martin rolled off as the next to last car to qualify. His lap seemed to put a charge into the crowd as many knew that his lap was quick.

Series points leader Brad Keslowski found his Miller Lite Dodge could only manage a 20th starting position. Ryan Newman was able to put his car in the third starting position. However, at this point in the season, it is clear that the cream definitely rises to the top.

Sprint Cup Chase contenders Clint Bowyer, Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch and Kasey Kane completed the top ten, qualifying fourth through tenth respectively.

On a day that started with the announcement that fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. would be out for the next two races due to a concussion, many wondered if replacement Regan Smith could manage to put the Mountain Dew car in the top ten. Unfortunately, Smith was only able to turn in a 26th starting position.

Other notables, Kevin Harvick will start 11th, Jeff Gordon 13th and Tony Stewart 32nd.

Nationwide Series regular Ricky Stenhouse Jr. qualified 29th and AJ Allmendinger returned to NASCAR putting his Phoenix Construction Chevrolet in the 38th starting position.