Kenseth wins pole position for Saturday's $1M NASCAR All-Star Race

Mike Hembree, USA TODAY Published 8:50 p.m. ET May 18, 2018 | Updated 10:33 p.m. ET May 18, 2018

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CONCORD, N.C. -- Matt Kenseth’s return to Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing got a big shot in the arm – in the rain – Friday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Kenseth, in his second race as a replacement driver for Roush Fenway Racing’s Trevor Bayne, won the pole for Saturday night’s annual All-Star Race with an average speed of 126.915 miles per hour. Friday’s three-lap qualifying runs included a four-tire pit stop and a no-speed-limit dash down pit road by the 17 participating drivers, a dramatic difference from typical point-race time trials.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kenseth’s RFR teammate, qualified second.

“This is way more about the car and the pit crew than me,” Kenseth said. “To have both of our cars on the front row is really a tribute to these guys.”

Kenseth was called back to Roush Fenway by team co-owner Jack Roush in an attempt to jolt the team from years of struggle. Kenseth is scheduled to share the No. 6 car with Bayne the rest of the season.

“It’s nice to have a Roush Fenway front row,” Stenhouse said. “Been a long time since that’s happened. It’s a different format, but I’m really glad that happened.”

Adding drama to qualifying was a day-long battle with weather. A series of showers pelted the track much of the day, leaving drivers with little on-track practice and frustrating pit crews because their scheduled practice with fast-entry stops was cancelled.

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Practice was more anticipated than in most weeks because teams are racing with a new rules package designed to be used only in Saturday’s race. Cars will compete with engine restrictor plates – a rarity at tracks other than Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway – and a much taller rear spoiler. The changes are aimed at slowing the field and preventing one or two drivers from dominating competition.

The day’s only abbreviated practice session was so short that not all cars made it to the track during the practice, and the most active during the period completed only four laps.

Kevin Harvick had the fastest practice speed with the restricted engines – 170.406 miles per hour. Qualifying speeds at CMS typically fall in the 190 range.

Rain forced cancellation of Friday’s scheduled qualifying for the Monster Energy Open, Saturday night’s preliminary race. Winners of the three segments (20, 20 and 10 laps) in the Open will advance to the All-Star Race. The Open starting field was set by owner points.

The 21st and final starting position in the All-Star Race will be determined by a fan vote.

Saturday night’s feature will be run in segments of 30, 20, 20 and 10 laps, with a $1 million prize going to the winner.

Saturday night's All-Star starting lineup (with best speed):

1. No. 6, Matt Kenseth, Ford, 126.915 mph

2. No. 17 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Ford, 126.427

3. No.14, Clint Bowyer, Ford, 126.233
4. No. 4, Kevin Harvick, 125.834

5. No. 78, Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 125.636
6. No. 12, Ryan Blaney, Ford, 125.511

7. No. 18, Kyle Busch, Toyota, 125.427

8. No. 2, Brad Keselowski, Ford, 124.962.

9. No. 3, Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 124.738
10. No. 22, Joey Logano, Ford, 124.137

11. No. 48, Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 123.624

12. No. 1, Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 123.105