Richmond NASCAR: Kyle Larson handed pole as qualifying rained off
Rookie Kyle Larson has been handed his maiden NASCAR Sprint Cup series pole position after qualifying was rained off at Richmond
Rain showers had been falling on the 0.75-mile oval late on Friday afternoon and a light drizzle turned into a downpour prior to the session beginning, resulting in its cancellation so as not to delay the following Nationwide Series race.
As a result, drivers will start the ninth round of the 2014 Sprint Cup season based on their first practice times.
Larson topped the opening session with a best time of 21.280 seconds (126.880 mph) and shares the front row with former series champion Brad Keselowski.
Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne occupy row two, while defending race-winner Kevin Harvick lines up fifth ahead of Brian Vickers, Jamie McMurray and Ryan Truex.
Current points leader Jeff Gordon struggled to find pace in the first practice session and starts in 25th position.
Early indications are that it should remain dry for Saturday night's race.
Pos Driver Team/Car 1. Kyle Larson Ganassi Chevrolet 2. Brad Keselowski Penske Ford 3. Clint Bowyer Waltrip Toyota 4. Kasey Kahne Hendrick Chevrolet 5. Kevin Harvick Stewart-Haas Chevrolet 6. Brian Vickers Waltrip Toyota 7. Jamie McMurray Ganassi Chevrolet 8. Ryan Truex BK Toyota 9. Paul Menard Childress Chevrolet 10. Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Chevrolet 11. Marcos Ambrose Petty Ford 12. Matt Kenseth Joe Gibbs Toyota 13. Dale Earnhardt Jr Hendrick Chevrolet 14. AJ Allmendinger JTG Daugherty Chevrole 15. Aric Almirola Petty Ford 16. Carl Edwards Roush Fenway Ford 17. Joey Logano Penske Ford 18. Ryan Newman Childress Chevrolet 19. Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Toyota 20. Tony Stewart Stewart-Haas Chevrolet 21. Kurt Busch Stewart-Haas Chevrolet 22. Martin Truex Jr Furniture Row Ford 23. Michael Annett Baldwin Chevrolet 24. Alex Bowman BK Toyota 25. Jeff Gordon Hendrick Chevrolet 26. Greg Biffle Roush Fenway Ford 27. Austin Dillon Childress Chevrolet 28. Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Toyota 29. Ricky Stenhouse Jr Roush Fenway Ford 30. David Reutimann Front Row Ford 31. Justin Allgaier HScott Chevrolet 32. Travis Kvapil Go FAS Ford 33. David Gilliland Front Row Ford 34. Casey Mears Germain Chevrolet 35. Danica Patrick Stewart-Haas Chevrolet 36. Reed Sorenson Baldwin Chevrolet 37. David Ragan Front Row Ford 38. Michael McDowell Leavine Ford 39. David Stremme Circle Sport Chevrolet 40. Dave Blaney Humphrey Ford 41. Josh Wise Parsons Chevrolet 42. Cole Whitt Swan Toyota 43. Joe Nemechek NEMCO Toyota
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