October 19, 2012
Championship contender Kasey Kahne shattered the track record at repaved Kansas Speedway on Friday, turning a lap of 191.360 mph to take the pole for Sunday's race.
Michael Waltrip Racing teammates Mark Martin and Clint Bowyer were next fastest, and all 43 cars in the field broke the previous record of 180.856 set by Matt Kenseth in 2005.
Bowyer, a Kansas native, is coming off a win last week at Charlotte that put him back in the championship picture. He trails leader Brad Keselowski by 28 points.
Keselowski will start 25th after a lousy qualifying run. Only three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart qualified worse of the Chase drivers in 33rd.
Regan Smith qualified 40th in Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car
