Logano edges Johnson for Michigan pole

The driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford is off to a good start by earning his third pole at the two-mile track with a lap of 201.698mph (35.697-seconds).

“I was surprised after the first couple of rounds when we weren’t as fast as the last time we were here," said Logano after earning his 17th career pole and third this season.

"We were eighth going into the final round but great adjustments to find a little bit more speed out of this thing. I was down there waiting and Todd said, ‘Take it!’ So I said, ‘Yeah, I am going to take it.’ So I got pumped up and I had the attitude that we were going to grab it or we were going to crash. It worked out well.”

Logano, who earned his 16th career Cup pole on Friday, was the first car out for the five-minute session. Jimmie Johnson (201.523mph) will share the front row with Logano. Denny Hamlin (201.416mph), Kevin Harvick (201.382mph) Chase Elliott (201.303mph) and Alex Bowman, subbing for Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top six with a lap of 201.207mph.

Ryan Blaney (201.202mph), Jamie McMurray (201.039mph), Carl Edwards (201.005mph), Ryan Newman (200.039mph), Kasey Kahne (200.028mph) and Kyle Larson (199.341mph) will comprise Rows 4 through 6.

If Logano wins on Sunday, he would tie Bill Elliott with three victories from the pole at MIS. David Pearson holds the record with four wins from the pole.

Round 2

When the race went green for the second round, 12 cars rushed to the track at the start of the 10-minute trial. Ryan Blaney set the fast pace early with a lap of 200.932mph, only to be passed by Ganassi Racing teammates Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray, who posted laps of 201.879mph and 201.556mph, respectively.

Halfway into the session, Chase Elliott split the Ganassi duo for P2 with a lap of 201.726mph. McMurray remained third followed by Denny Hamlin (201.112mph), Jimmie Johnson (201.061mph) and Kevin Harvick (201.016mph). Blaney, Joey Logano (200.647mph), Alex Bowman (200.607mph), Carl Edwards (200.557mph), Kasey Kahne (200.512mph) and Ryan Newman (200.507mph) advanced to the final round.

Edwards and Newman were the only drivers in the second round to run three laps. Edwards made an insurance run after Johnson blocked his initial attempt. The No. 19 wasn’t please with Johnson’s move.

“No joke,” added Edwards. “That’s piss pour right there.”

“We were better, we just kind of missed it,” said Matt Kenseth, the defending race winner. He will start 13th.

Round 1

With seven minutes remaining in the first segment, Jimmie Johnson vaulted over Kyle Larson for the top spot — 201.134mph. Denny Hamlin started his run shortly after and was second — 200.764mph. Larson’s speed of 200.647mph held up for third.

Paul Menard was fourth quick with a lap of 200.429mph followed by Chase Elliott (200.273mph), Alex Bowman (200.206mph), Martin Truex Jr. (200.200mph), June’s winner Joey Logano (200.006mph), Matt Kenseth (200.000mph) and Kurt Busch (199.978mph).

“Good grip, better grip than practice," said Jamie McMurray, the 11th car to transfer to the second round. “I was a little bit tighter than I was in practice.”

Carl Edwards, Ryan Blaney, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart also advanced. Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Brad Keselowski, Austin Dillon, Chris Buescher, Danica Patrick and Trevor Bayne rounded out the top 24.

Cla	#	Driver	Manufacturer	Time	Gap	Mph
1	22	Joey Logano	Ford	35.697		201.698
2	48	Jimmie Johnson	Chevrolet	35.728	0.031	201.523
3	11	Denny Hamlin	Toyota	35.747	0.050	201.416
4	4	Kevin Harvick	Chevrolet	35.753	0.056	201.382
5	24	Chase Elliott	Chevrolet	35.767	0.070	201.303
6	88	Alex Bowman	Chevrolet	35.784	0.087	201.207
7	21	Ryan Blaney	Ford	35.785	0.088	201.202
8	1	Jamie McMurray	Chevrolet	35.814	0.117	201.039
9	19	Carl Edwards	Toyota	35.820	0.123	201.005
10	31	Ryan Newman	Chevrolet	35.917	0.220	200.462