Kyle Busch Wins Shootout for New Hampshire Pole

Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart and Jamie McMurray round out the top-five qualifiers

It was another record-breaking afternoon during Oxford Casino Pole Day at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, as Kyle Busch set a new qualifying record at 138.130 miles per hour (27.574 seconds) to take the pole for Sunday's Camping World RV Sales 301. Photo Courtesy: NHMS

(LOUDON, N.H.) - It was another record-breaking afternoon during Oxford Casino Pole Day at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, as Kyle Busch set a new qualifying record at 138.130 miles per hour (27.574 seconds) to take the pole for Sunday's Camping World RV Sales 301.

Busch was one of 11 drivers to break Ryan Newman's qualifying mark set for last September's SYLVANIA 300.

It was the 13th time this season that the new group-style knockout qualifying has produced a new track record.

That could be a good omen for Sunday, as the Magic Mile will look to bring its 13th different winner in the last 13 races to Sunoco Victory Lane on Sunday. Should Rowdy win from the pole, he will continue the streak.

Busch, whose only Sprint Cup win at NHMS came in 2006. Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart and Jamie McMurray round out the top-five qualifiers for the 22nd annual Camping World RV Sales 301.

"The good thing was that when we left the test we felt good about things, but there was still room to improve," said Johnson of the Hendrick Motorsports test at New Hampshire on June 3-4 - with teammates Kasey Kahne (10th), Jeff Gordon (11th), and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (28th). "These new no ride height rules are leaving opportunity to really make improvements and develop speed."

The pole was Busch's 15th of his career, the second of the 2014 season and the second in his career at New Hampshire.

Top drivers after the first round of qualifying were: Denny Hamlin Joey Logano Brad Keselowski Kyle Busch Jimmie Johnson Kurt Busch Clint Bowyer Jeff Gordon Kevin Harvick Tony Stewart Jamie McMurray Kasey Kahne.

"We've got a pretty fast car," said rookie Kyle Larson, who finished one spot out of the final 12 in 13th. "We've got speed. We were pretty fast in practice and I think we're going to be fine. I think we'll have something for them on Sunday."

Camping World RV Sales 301 Starting Order:

Position Driver Car No.

1. Kyle Busch 18

2. Jimmie Johnson 48

3. Denny Hamlin 11

4. Tony Stewart 14

5. Jamie McMurray 1

6. Joey Logano 22

7. Brad Keselowski 2

8. Clint Bowyer 15

9. Martin Truex Jr. 78

10. Kasey Kahne 5

11. Jeff Gordon 24

12. Kevin Harvick 4

13. Kyle Larson 42

14. Carl Edwards 99

15. Matt Kenseth 20

16. Paul Menard 27

17. Brian Vickers 55

18. Kurt Busch 41

19. Aric Almirola 43

20. A.J. Allmendinger 47

21. Marcos Ambrose 9

22. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 17

23. Austin Dillon 3

24. Ryan Newman 31

25. Justin Allgaier 51

26. David Ragan 34

27. Greg Biffle 16

28. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 88

29. Danica Patrick 10

30. Jeff Burton 66

31. Casey Mears 13

32. Josh Wise 98

33. David Gilliland 38

34. Landon Cassill 40

35. Cole Whitt 26

36. Alex Bowman 23

37. Reed Sorenson 36

38. Ryan Truex 83

39. Michael Annett 7

40. Eddie MacDonald 32

41. Mike Bliss 93

42. Timmy Hill 87

43. Morgan Shepherd 33

Source: New Hampshire Motor Speedway

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