NASCAR Homestead 2014 qualifying results: Jeff Gordon on the pole; Kevin Harvick leads championship contenders

In a race where it’s winner-take-all, Kevin Harvick gained the early, though slight, advantage among the Chase for the Sprint Cup finalists by out-qualifying Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Consistently fast throughout all three sessions of qualifying, Harvick will start Sunday’s season finale in the fifth position. Denny Hamlin qualified eighth, and Joey Logano was ninth. The only driver among the title contenders who did not move past Round 2, Newman will lineup 21st.

“Today was really about trying to get a solid starting spot and we were able to do that,” Harvick said. “Just really proud of my guys; we had a really good day today. Just got to keep doing what we have to do and see where it all falls on Sunday.”

All challengers were optimistic about their chances, but it was Hamlin who expressed the most confidence. A two-time Homestead winner, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is the only one among the four who’s won at the South Florida track previously, including a year ago.

A year ago Hamlin knew instantly in practice that he was going to win. He experienced a similar feeling Friday.

“Last year I knew we were going to win the race,” Hamlin said. “I knew in practice we were going to win the race, and my car feels equally as good this time around.

“We don’t have that all-out speed that we haven’t had all year, but we’ve got good long-run speed on this track, really. It’s good for you when you have a car that’s like that on this type of race track. Very encouraged by what we’ve seen so far.”

Jeff Gordon (180.747 mph) will lead the field to the green flag in the Ford EcoBoost 400, followed by Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth. Brad Keselowski, who broke the track record in the first round, starts fourth.

The 200th pole for Hendrick Motorsports was somewhat bittersweet for Gordon. The four-time Cup champion was eliminated from the Chase on the final lap last weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, failing to advance by a single point.

“It hit me hard when I crossed the line at Phoenix,” said Gordon of being eliminated. “I think I was just really in disbelief for a good 24 hours that we did everything so right and didn’t make it. That disappointment was definitely there throughout the week.”

Throughout the Chase, Gordon was considered among the favorites to advance to Homestead. By capturing the pole, it reinforced the notion that a fifth championship was a distinct possibility.

“I think even if we win this race on Sunday, that’s only going to make it hurt a little bit more in some ways because we could have won the championship if we were here,” Gordon said. “I think it’s not that I’m over it yet, but I’ve definitely -- getting to the racetrack, it allows all of us to focus on what we do best, which is go and compete.”

All 43 entrants qualified for Sunday’s race.

Ford EcoBoost 400 Starting Lineup