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Qualifying report

Kevin Harvick takes the pole at Atlanta

Harvick tops time trials for a record sixth time in 2015.

Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet

Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet

Action Sports Photography

Kevin Harvick
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford and Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski
Tony Stewart press conference for his return to racing

HAMPTON, Ga. – Kevin Harvick had only posted five poles in his Sprint Cup career prior to 2014.

On Friday, he won number six.

Harvick earned his first Sprint Cup pole at Atlanta Motor Speedway with a lap of 190.398 mph

“I wish I could do that again,” Harvick told his crew despite sticking the lap.

Brad Keselowski will start second. It’s the 10th race this season that Keselowski will start from the front row.

Rookie Kyle Larson, Ryan Newman and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five. Martin Truex Jr., earned the sixth spot -- his best qualifying effort under the new knock-out rules.

In Tony Stewart’s return to competition after a three-week hiatus to recover from the loss of Kevin Ward Jr. during a tragic Sprint Car accident at Canandaigua Speedway, he qualified the No. 14 Chevy 12th.

“I just didn’t get it down in one,” Stewart said. “Good job today, guys, sorry about that."

Still, Stewart's return was welcomed by Harvick. Although he wasn't able to post the lap he wanted, Stewart relayed to his crew, "Tell (Kevin) I moved down and split the bottom, it was better. It was better when I moved down there, still, a little bit tight but not as bad."

Harvick agreed that the advice proved beneficial for his qualifying run.

"After the second run he went out and radioed to me that I needed to go back and do what I was doing in practice," Harvick said. "Just good to have that reassurance on the radio next to you.”

Joey Logano failed to advance to the final round of qualifying for the first time in 2014 on an open motor track. He started 17th at Richmond, but qualifying was rained out and Logano started on points. However, the driver of the No. 22 went on to win his second of three races this season.

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