NASCAR Atlanta 2014 qualifying results: Kevin Harvick wins pole; Tony Stewart 12th

Crediting the return of car owner and teammate Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick took the pole position with a speed of 190.398 miles per hour in Sprint Cup qualifying Friday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, Stewart offered Harvick pivotal instruction between the second and third rounds of qualifying. It was advice that propelled Harvick to his sixth pole of the season. He was also the No. 1 qualifier a week ago at Bristol Motor Speedway.

”Yeah, it’s good to have the boss back, Harvick told Fox Sports 1. “He told me to go with what I knew from practice so I switched our lines in (Turns) 1 and 2 and I was a lot better there on the bottom.

Stewart is returning after sitting out three races following his involvement in the death of sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr. Aug. 9 at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in upstate New York.

The three-time NASCAR champion spoke publicly for the first time since Ward’s death earlier Friday. In a 2 minute, 30 second statement an emotional Stewart expressed the anguish he’s experienced since his sprint car struck and killed an on-foot Ward.

Stewart clocked in the 12th fastest time.

“After the second run he went out and radioed to me that I needed to go back and do what I was doing in practice,” Harvick said. “Just good to have that reassurance on the radio next to you.”

Starting alongside Harvick Sunday is Brad Keselowski, who qualified on the front row for the 10th time this season.

“It’s another front-row start and hopefully, we can carry it into a first-place finish on Sunday night,” Keselowski said.

Rookie Kyle Larson posted the third-fastest time, followed by Ryan Newman in fourth and Matt Kenseth in fifth. Larson, Newman and Kenseth are all searching for their first victory of 2014, which would assure them entry into the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Although Newman and Kenseth are essentially guaranteed a playoff berth because of their points position, Larson will need a win either Sunday or on Sept. 6 at Richmond International Raceway -- the regular season finale -- to make the Chase.

“I’d say our chances here are a little better than Richmond -- (Atlanta) suits my driving style than Richmond,” Larson said. “Hoping to have a really good weekend here. Started off good so far in qualifying third. Got to get a win.”

Ty Dillon qualified 29th and will make his Sprint Cup Series debut on Sunday.

Michael McDowell was the only driver who failed to qualify.