Hamlin edges Busch for Nationwide pole at Richmond
Richmond, VA (Sports Network) - Denny Hamlin will start on the pole for Friday's Virginia 529 College Savings 250 Nationwide Series race after knocking his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch from the top position in qualifying at Richmond International Raceway.
Hamlin, a native of nearby Chesterfield, VA, turned a lap around the 0.75-mile track at 124.384 m.p.h. (21.707 seconds) for his 13th career Nationwide pole, including his second at Richmond. His first pole here came in the 2007 spring race.
"I qualified on the pole here in the Nationwide Series before, and I think I was in the fence 30 laps in, so hopefully we'll have a different outcome this time." Hamlin won at Richmond in May 2008.
Busch, the series points leader, qualified 0.04 seconds behind Hamlin to give JGR the front starting row.
Paul Menard will start third, followed by Clint Bowyer and Brad Keselowski.
Martin Truex Jr., who is making first Nationwide start this season, Mark Green, Scott Speed, Trevor Bayne and Greg Biffle will roll off sixth through 10th, respectively.
Carl Edwards, who trails Busch by 221 points, qualified a disappointing 39th. Edwards continues to drive with a broken right foot.
Derrike Cope, Casey Atwood, Morgan Shepherd and Chris Lawson did not qualify.
Today's 250-lap race is scheduled to begin around 7:30 p.m. (et).
09/11 17:44:16 ET
