NASCAR Cup

Harvick knocks out hot lap for NHIS pole

Kevin Harvick kick-started his championship quest at New Hampshire International Speedway. He knocked out the hottest time with a lap of 132.282 mph to grab the top starting spot in the Sylvania 300 on Sunday. "That was a good lap. I actually came ...

Edited: Dec 11, 2006, 4:19 AM

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Kevin Harvick kick-started his championship quest at New Hampshire International Speedway. He knocked out the hottest time with a lap of 132.282 mph to grab the top starting spot in the Sylvania 300 on Sunday.

"That was a good lap. I actually came on the radio and said I didn't think I got everything in one and two, but I knew I was good in three and four," said Harvick. "I told the guys if they can make me qualify like that they are doing a good job, because I am not the world's best qualifier."

It is his first pole of the season and fifth of his career. Harvick will start the first Chase race third in points, trailing leader Kenseth by 10 markers.

"To get the first pit stall and be first when the green flag drops is certainly an advantage," Harvick continued.

Jeff Gordon will start on the outside pole with a lap of 131.751 mph.

"I didn't know I was going to get beat that bad. We put a good lap up there. I knew we picked up and we picked up from practice but I knew we were going to be good. It was a little bit of a let down not to get it because we haven't gotten a pole all year. But that is a good starting spot for us.but when you are on top and you get knocked off of course you are a little disappointed."

Teammates Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman start third and fourth; the only two drivers in the top five not competing in the Chase for the Nextel Cup.

"That was a really surprising lap, what a great lap for our car," said Busch. "Our teammate is right behind us. So, that's a good day, it will be a good starting spot for us."

Denny Hamlin completes the top five fastest times and got a special bonus on pit road. Harvick repaid Hamlin for a stunt on "Live with Regis and Kelly" that involved pie tossing by smacking Hamlin squarely in the face with a pie made of whip cream and Reese's pieces.

"This sets the tone for the first race," said Hamlin. "It definitely cuts down the chance of getting in trouble down by starting up front. Right now we just want to run as well as we have all year long and see where it takes us. There is nothing that can ruin this season for us now no matter where we finish."

Forty-eight cars attempted to qualify for the forty-three car field; failing to make the show were Derrike Cope, Carl Long, Kenny Wallace, Chad Blount and Chad Chaffin.

Notably, point leader Matt Kenseth will start 25th and second place Jimmie Johnson, seventh.

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