Erik Jones was the fastest in every round of qualifying as he earned the pole for the Xfinity Series’ Chase opener at Kentucky Speedway.
Jones, the No. 1 seed in the Chase, earned his eighth pole of the season with a speed of 187.207 mph. He was the only driver to top 187 mph.
“This is probably our biggest pole of the year, No. 1 with it being the first Chase race and No. 2 with it being a revape(d track),” Jones told NBC Sports. “It’s pretty important to start upfront here and get clean air.”
Filling out the top five is Daniel Suarez, Elliott Sadler, Ty Dillon and Sam Hornish Jr.
Dillon starts in the top five for the first time since Dover, the 10th race of the season.
Matt Tifft, making his first Xfinity start since undergoing brain surgery for a low-grade tumor, will start sixth.
Brandon Jones, (14th), Black Koch (15th), Ryan Reed (16th) and Ryan Sieg (19th) were the only Chase drivers not to advance to the final round.
Qualifying results
