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Qualifying report

Larson and McMurray lock out Sonoma front row for Chip Ganassi Racing

Kyle Larson isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet

John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images

Larson went out late in the final round of knockout qualifying Saturday and topped his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, Jamie McMurray, to claim the pole for Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway.

The pole is his second consecutive this season and fourth of his career. He started from the pole last and won last weekend at Michigan International Speedway.

Larson’s average lap speed in the final round was 95.295 mph, just topping McMurray (95.204 mph).

“I messed up into (Turn) 1 and I felt like I may have cost myself the pole,” Larson said. “It’s cool to get a pole on a road course, it’s my home state and this is the closest track to Sacramento, where I grew up.

“I have lots of family and friends here to celebrate with the team.”

McMurray went out early in the session and had to patiently wait as the rest of the Top 12 took their turn at knocking him from the top spot.

“I thought I did a really good job. I don’t think I gave up anything – there wasn’t a corner than stood out more than any other where I thought I messed up,” McMurray said.

“I thought Kyle was going to give it back to me in (Turn) 11. Watching the Lap Tracker is painful to watch when you go out first. It’s cool, though, that team has been on a roll. Our whole Chip Ganassi team has been awesome this year.”

Martin Truex Jr. qualified third, Kyle Busch was fourth and A.J. Allmendinger ended up fifth.

Rounding out the top 12: Danica Patrick, Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Chris Buescher, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Daniel Suarez and Kevin Harvick.

Patrick’s sixth-place qualifying effort is her best since August 2014 when she qualified 10th at Pocono.

There were no serious on-track incidents in the final round.

Round 1

Elliott set a blistering pace in the first round, topping the 25-minute session with an average lap speed of 95.371 mph.

Elliott was using a backup car after wrecking his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in Friday’s final practice session. Elliott won the K&N Pro Series West race last during his first appearance at Sonoma.

Truex ended up second-fastest, Kyle Busch third, McMurray was fourth and Chris Buescher rounded out the top-five.

Also advancing to the final round were Harvick, Patrick, Allmendinger, Larson, Blaney, Suarez and Earnhardt.

“I struggled with the rear tires just a little bit,” Allmendinger said on his team radio after his qualifying run.

Among those who failed to advance to the final round were Clint Bowyer (13th), Kurt Busch (17th) and Jimmie Johnson (24th).

There were no serious on-track incidents in the session. At one point, Patrick slid off the dirt coming down the hill in Turn 3A.

Matt Kenseth had to change engines on Friday so he will start from the rear of the field on Sunday. He went out on the track once but did not complete a qualifying attempt.

 

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