Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kyle Busch outran and outpaced his brother Kurt Busch by two one-thousandths of second take the pole for Sunday’s running of the Food City 500 during Bush Beans Pole Day at Bristol Motor Speedway.
“It’s a razor blade,” a thin margin with the track and the “Bristol bite” replied Kurt Busch in his comments following qualifying. Busch admitted he slipped up in turn one and that one slip was all it took for brother Kyle to take advantage of and clinch the pole.
“It’s going to be a battle” come Sunday according to brother Kurt when driving against Kyle.
Brother Kyle said that while Kurt may have “slipped in the corner”, but it’s something that he and JGR has to keep an eye out for his older brother Kurt and Stewart-Haas Racing.
Everything today that was roses for the Busch brothers today wasn’t necessarily the best some years ago. Now that rift has healed and the two have raced each other competitively and clean over time.
Busch will roll off second in the Stewart-Haas Ford, while Penske driver Brad Keselowski will start third, Roush-Fenway driver Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. qualifying fourth and Penske driver Ryan Blaney rolling off fifth.
Kyle Larson picked up the sixth qualifying spot, Paul Menard in the Wood Brothers Ford in seventh, Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman pulled off a great run to qualify eighth, David Ragan will roll off ninth and Joey Logano rounded out the top 10.
Spots 11-20
- 11th William Byron
- 12th Daniel Suarez
- 13th Erik Jones
- 14th Clint Bowyer
- 15th Dj Kennington
- 16th Chase Elliott
- 17th Jimmie Johnson
- 18th AJ Allmendinger
- 19th Aric Almirola
- 20th Bubba Wallace
Other notables
- 21st Austin Dillon
- 25th Denny Hamlin
- 26th Martin Truex, Jr.
- 30th Ryan Newman
- 31st Jamie McMurray
Kevin Harvick will roll off 39th after his early practice wreck and did not attempt to qualify. The Food City 500 is scheduled for Sunday afternoon beginning at 2:00 pm from Bristol Motor Speedway.