NASCAR Las Vegas 2017 qualifying results: Brad Keselowski wins Kobalt 400 pole

Fresh off a win a week ago, Brad Keselowski carried his hot hand into Las Vegas, where on Friday he took the top position in qualifying for Sunday’s Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Keselowski (193.680 mph) edged Martin Truex Jr. (193.458 mph) to capture his first pole of the season and first since June at Pocono Raceway. The 1.5-mile Las Vegas track is one of Keselowski’s best. He is the defending race winner and is seeking his third win in four years on Sunday. The Team Penske driver also won last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

“It feels good to get an early-season pole to go with our win,” Keselowski said. “I’m ready for the race on Sunday. I love Vegas.”

Starting behind Keselowski and Truex in the third Monster Energy Cup Series race of the season are Ryan Blaney, Matt Kenseth, and Kyle Larson. Joey Logano, Kasey Kahne, rookie Erik Jones, Kyle Busch, and Jamie McMurray completed the top 10 qualifiers. Busch and McMurray posted the same time, but Busch was awarded the ninth position based off 2016 owner points.

Several notables failed to advance past the second round in the three-session knockout format. Among those failing to transfer: Denny Hamlin (qualified 15th), Jimmie Johnson (16th), Kurt Busch (17th), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (18th), and Kevin Harvick (19th).

Johnson, the defending series champion, leads all drivers with four Las Vegas victories, with two of those wins coming after qualifying 23rd (2007) and 20th (2010).

“I’m disappointed,” Johnson said. “But this is going to be a great race. I think these hotter temperatures and this low downforce [aerodynamic] package and different tire are going to put on a great show on Sunday.”

With NASCAR switching to a three-stage format for national tour races this season, Keselowski said qualifying well now carries added importance. Drivers who finish in the top 10 at the end of the first and second segments are awarded bonus points that are applied to their regular season total.

On Sunday, the 267-lap race is divided into stages consisting of 80, 80 and 107 laps.

“Qualifying has always mattered, but now it matter more than ever because it gives you a prime opportunity to win that first stage and collect those points both for the season and for the playoffs,” Keselowski said. “I think it’s critical. It makes us put more emphasis on it.

“Winning all three stages is a max points day and with this format you can earn more points than ever in a race and distance yourself more than ever from your competition and that’s certainly what we’re looking to try to accomplish.”

All 39 drivers entered will start Sunday’s race.