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Kevin Harvick wins Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pole in Atlanta

By Nick Tylwalk

Feb 25, 2017; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick (4) during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Looks like Stewart-Haas Racing still likes its new Fords even after Daytona.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying in Atlanta looked like a battle between Ryan Newman and Kyle Busch for the pole. Then Kevin Harvick crashed the party.

Not literally, mind you, but after Newman and Busch were the class of the field in the first two qualifying rounds, Harvick threw down the fastest speed when it mattered. His No. 4 Jimmy John’s Ford turned in a time of 29.118 seconds in the final round, giving him the pole for Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.

It’s the 18th pole of Harvick’s career but just the first in a Ford after Stewart-Haas Racing switched manufacturers during the off-season. Newman, who was gunning for his eighth Atlanta pole, will start beside Harvick in the front row, the 11th time he’s done so at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Several drivers had issues with handling or the track conditions. David Ragan got into the wall during the first qualifying round, and Matt DiBenedetto followed suit in the second. Danica Patrick, who was eliminated in the second round, told the Fox Sports 1 crew that the sun was a major issue, severely affecting visibility going into Turn 1.

“When you’re driving in flat to lord knows where, it’s not very comforting,” Patrick said.

Jimmie Johnson also had some struggles during his qualifying laps, but he didn’t sound all that concerned afterward — and he shouldn’t considering he’s won this race the last two years.

Next: Full NASCAR TV schedule for Atlanta

Here’s a look at the complete Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 qualifying results from Atlanta, where all 39 cars who entered will make the field on Sunday.

  1. Kevin Harvick
  2. Ryan Newman
  3. Kyle Busch
  4. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  5. Brad Keselowski
  6. Joey Logano
  7. Jamie McMurray
  8. Kyle Larson
  9. Martin Truex Jr.
  10. Denny Hamlin
  11. Chase Elliott
  12. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
  13. Kurt Busch
  14. Ryan Blaney
  15. Trevor Bayne
  16. Matt Kenseth
  17. Paul Menard
  18. Jimmie Johnson
  19. Austin Dillon
  20. A.J. Allmendinger
  21. Daniel Suarez
  22. Matt DiBenedetto
  23. Erik Jones
  24. Danica Patrick
  25. Clint Bowyer
  26. Ty Dillon
  27. Landon Cassill
  28. Chris Buescher
  29. Kasey Kahne
  30. Aric Almirola
  31. Gray Gaulding
  32. Corey Lajoie
  33. Reed Sorenson
  34. David Ragan
  35. Jeffrey Earnhardt
  36. Michael McDowell
  37. Cole Whitt
  38. Derrike Cope
  39. Cody Ware
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