Michigan International Speedway

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Martin Truex Jr. thought he had the pole for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 — until Kyle Larson made the last run in the final round of Friday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series knockout qualifying at Michigan International Speedway.

Joey Logano started the season strong with top-five finishes in all but three of the first nine races. But following his win at Richmond International Raceway, his season turned south fast.

Kyle Larson topped the chart in first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice at Michigan International Speedway.

It may surprise you to learn that Chase Elliott has the series-best driver rating (125.1) at Michigan. In his only two starts last year, he earned two runner-up finishes. Elliott also has the series-best average finish (2.000), average running position (4.300) and the series-most laps in the top 15 (391 laps, 97.8 percent).

The Irish Hills will be looking for a new commanding officer in the coming days.

Asked what he needed on the last few laps to have gotten the win, Chase Elliott said he just needed "a better restart."

After two and a half years, Kyle Larson finally made his way into victory lane in the Sprint Cup Series with a win in the Irish Hills of Michigan.

Denny Hamlin topped the chart in final Sprint Cup Series practice at Michigan International Speedway.

Tony Stewart posted the fastest time in second Sprint Cup Series practice at Michigan International Speedway.

Joey Logano will lead the field to the green flag on Sunday in the Irish Hills of Michigan. The driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford scored the pole for the Pure Michigan 400 after posting a time of 35.697 and a speed of 201.698 mph.