NASCAR Phoenix 2015 qualifying results: Kevin Harvick continues roll, wins pole

If it’s Phoenix International Raceway, that means one thing: Kevin Harvick is the driver to beat. Which is exactly what unfolded during Friday qualifying for Sunday’s NASCAR race.

Harvick -- the all-time Phoenix wins leader -- took the pole-position, posting an average speed of 140.751 mph. That topped Joey Logano, Jamie McMurray, Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman and gave Harvick his first pole at the track, where he owns six victories.

Harvick emphasizes running well on tracks near his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif. Last season he dominated the fall Phoenix race, leading 82 percent of the laps to clinch a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup finale -- a championship Harvick ultimately won. And a week ago he won at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“This is a pretty special place,” said Harvick. “All these west coast races are special, but this one in particular.”

Harvick’s supremacy isn’t lost on the competition. During his post-qualifying media session, Logano jokingly asked Harvick to reveal his secret. Come Sunday, Logano is fully aware who the man to beat is.

“I don’t know if you noticed his answer, the only was he can get beat is him screwing up,” Logano said. “Sounds like it will take a mistake or crash or strategy call. Honestly, we work hard to make our cars faster than his and we have been getting closer.”

Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards, Kurt Busch, Kasey Kahne (making his 400th career start) and Jeff Gordon completed the top-10 qualifiers. Phoenix is Busch’s first race of the season after sitting out the first three weeks due to a suspension.

NASCAR banned Busch indefinitely following an incident where he allegedly assaulted a former girlfriend. On March 5, the Delaware Attorney General’s office declined to charge Busch, citing lack of evidence. His suspension was lifted last week.

“Overall, it was just a pleasant day with overwhelming support from the team and the garage area,” Busch said. ”‘Glad you’re back’ is what I hear a lot of.

“I’m thankful to be back and to have this competitive car that I can put in the top-10 on the first day out.”

Tanner Berryhill and Travis Kvapil were the only two entrants who failed to qualify.

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