NSCS: A.J. Allmendinger Captures Toyota / Save Mart 350 Pole at Sonoma

A.J. Allmendinger will start the Toyota / Save Mart 350 on the pole at the Sonoma Raceway on Sunday afternoon. Allmendinger earned his third career Sprint Cup Series pole on Saturday after posting a fast lap of 1:14.385 seconds, 96.310 mph. The California native comes into the weekend searching for his second trip to victory lane in the series.

Kurt Busch will take the green flag right beside Allmendinger in the runner-up spot. Busch comes into Sonoma looking to capture his third win of the season in the Sprint Cup Series. The Las Vegas native captured a victory on the road course back in 2011. Busch posted a time of 1:14.551 seconds, 96.095 mph. in the final round.

Starting in the third spot will be Matt Kenseth in his No. 20 Dollar General Toyota. Kenseth posted a time of 1:14.624 seconds, 96.001 mph. in the final round of knockout qualifying. The Wisconsin native will make his 10th top 10 start of the season.

Kyle Larson broke the track record in the first round of knockout qualifying but could not back that up in the final round. Larson ended the final round with a 1:14.678 seconds, 95.932 mph. The previous track record was set last year by Jamie McMurray.

One car will not make the race and that will be Brendan Gaughan. Gaughan came into the weekend needing to end round one inside the top 36. He ended the first round as the 44th fastest driver.

Brett Winningham
Follow Me