Travis Pastrana earned his first career NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) pole for Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) Friday at Talladega Superspeedway, with a lap of 176.5 mph. This is the first NNS pole for car owner Jack Roush at Talladega.
“Bringing the guys to the line at the green flag at Talladega is awesome, so I’m definitely excited,” Pastrana said. “This Roush Fenway team has worked so hard. It’s just awesome to be able to show the work these guys are putting together and I’m definitely really happy to be here.”
The pole comes in just his 17th NNS start. Pastrana’s previous best qualifying effort was a fourth-place start at Daytona International Speedway in the season opener. The No. 60 team brings the same chassis that Pastrana raced to a 10th-place finish in Daytona.
“Winning the pole at a restrictor plate race also means that you’re going to have a lot of people that are willing to work with you come race day, so I’m excited about that,” Pastrana said.
RFR teammate Trevor Bayne also laid down a fast lap, qualifying his No. 6 Ford Mustang in third with a lap of 176.071 mph.
Pastrana and the No. 60 Ford Mustang will lead the field to the green flag Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET for 117 laps from the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway.
RFR PR
