Kevin Harvick will start on the pole for the KC Masterpiece 400 at Kansas Speedway on Saturday. Harvick, looking to score his fifth win of the season at Kansas, posted a 26.600, 188.811 mph. to score his 23rd career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pole.
In 24 starts at Kansas, Harvick recorded two wins, seven top five and 13 top 10 finishes.
Ryan Blaney will take the second starting spot in the No. 12 REV Group Ford. Blaney, racing at the site of his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2014, posted a 28.750, 187.826 mph. in the final round of knockout qualifying.
Kyle Busch rounded out the top three qualifiers for the KC Masterpiece 400. The Las Vegas native posted a 28.792, 187.552 mph. and enters the day looking to score his fourth win of the season.
Aric Almirola and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top five in the final round.
Inspection issues prevented several drivers from turning a lap in round one. The six drivers impacted included Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Michael McDowell, Matt DiBenedetto and Timmy Hill. There were no DNQs as only 38 appeared on the weekend entry list.
Sweeping both Kansas races last season, Martin Truex Jr. will start seventh on the leaderboard. The No. 78 Toyota posted a 29.001, 186.200 to earn the spot. Truex will go into the event looking to capture his second win in 2018.
