Martin Truex Jr. Secures Second Straight Pole of 2018

Martin Truex Jr. earned his 17th career pole on Friday during 5-11 Tactical Pole Day at Auto Club Speedway. Truex Jr. posted the fastest lap during the final round of qualifying to secure his second straight pole of the 2018 season. It's the second time in his career he's won two straight poles, the last time came in October of 2016 when he won the Talladega and Martinsville pole back-to-back. 

Kyle Busch will start second on Sunday after posting the second fastest time of the final round. It'll be the second time in 2018 the Las Vegas, Nevada native has started on the front row, he won the pole at Atlanta last month. 

Defending race winner Kyle Larson qualified third followed by Erik Jones and Austin Dillon. Kevin Harvick dominated both the first and second rounds but didn't find that speed in the final round. He'll start the race on Sunday in 10th.

Inspection issues marred the first round and ultimately resulted in 12 drivers not being able to turn a lap during qualifying. The likes of Denny Hamlin. Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson, among others failed to post a lap before the clock hit zero on the first round. Those drivers will start at the rear of the field on Sunday but with sticker tires, they could be at an advantage. 

Starting Lineup for Sunday's Auto Club 400

  1. Martin Truex Jr. 
  2. Kyle Busch
  3. Kyle Larson
  4. Erik Jones
  5. Austin Dillon
  6. Joey Logano
  7. Kurt Busch
  8. Ryan Blaney
  9. Ryan Newman
  10. Kevin Harvick
  11. Brad Keselowski
  12. Chris Buescher
  13. Trevor Bayne
  14. Paul Menard
  15. Jamie McMurray
  16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  17. Ty Dillon
  18. Matt DiBenedetto
  19. Darrell Wallace Jr.
  20. Gray Gaulding
  21. David Ragan
  22. Michael McDowell
  23. Jeffrey Earnhardt
  24. Reed Sorenson
  25. Denny Hamlin
  26. Clint Bowyer 
  27. Aric Almirola
  28. Alex Bowman
  29. William Byron
  30. Daniel Suarez
  31. Chase Elliott 
  32. AJ Allmendinger 
  33. Jimmie Johnson
  34. Kasey Kahne
  35. Timmy Hill
  36. Ross Chastain
  37. Cole Whitt
Failed to turn a Lap - Denny Hamlin, Clint Bowyer, Aric Almirola, Alex Bowman, William Byron, Daniel Suarez, Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson, AJ Allmendinger, Kasey Kahne, Timmy Hill, Ross Chastain, and Cole Whitt

Photo Credit: Brandon Wright/Brandon Wright Photography

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