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NASCAR at Michigan 2019 Qualifying Results: Brad Keselowski Takes Pole Position

Joseph Zucker

Brad Keselowski claimed his second pole of the season and will start from the No. 1 spot Sunday in the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

Keselowski posted a lap time of 37.801 seconds and a top speed of 190.471 mph, edging out Kevin Harvick. William Byron, Alex Bowman and Clint Bowyer fill out the top five.

Here's the top 10, with the full starting order available at NASCAR.com:

           

Consumers Energy 400 Qualifying Results

1. Brad Keselowski

2. Kevin Harvick

3. William Byron

4. Alex Bowman

5. Clint Bowyer

6. Chase Elliott

7. Austin Dillon

8. Ryan Blaney

9. Joey Logano

10. Paul Menard

          

Keselowski is a native of Rochester Hills, Michigan. He's still looking for a victory at his home track after finishing as runner-up twice in 20 tries over his career.

Historically, Keselowski has performed well in Brooklyn. His average finish of 11.6 is third among active drivers, and he has never failed to finish a race.

The 35-year-old has three wins already this season to lock up a playoff berth, and a fourth checkered flag would tie him for the most this season. He enters the race sitting fourth in the playoff standings with 728 points.

Likewise, Harvick's status for the round of 16 is secured after he got his long-awaited win in July's Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. However, he's seventh in the standings despite having accrued the third-most points (777). A first-place finish at Michigan would move Harvick into sixth.

Byron and Bowyer have a little more riding on the Consumers Energy 400. Both drivers are without a victory, and Bowyer in particular is on the playoff bubble. His 556 points are only 12 more than Ryan Newman in 17th place.

Including Sunday's event, four races remain before the playoffs begin. The drivers who remain winless are running out of time to solidify their status in the top 16.

A trip to Victory Lane won't be a requirement to contend for a title in September—seven drivers in the current playoff field have yet to taste success—but it would eliminate a lot of stress for those still with work to do.

   

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