Dillon wins pole for Daytona Truck race

Austin Dillon won the pole Thursday for the NextEra Energy Resources 250, the season-opening Camping World Truck Series event slated for Friday on the newly repaved Daytona International Speedway.

The 20-year-old grandson of team owner Richard Childress won seven poles last year and took the top spot to open 2011 thanks to the top speed Thursday at 179.047 mph.

The top five spots belonged to Chevrolet, with Turner Motorsports’ James Buescher (178.423) and Kevin Harvick Inc.’s Ron Hornaday Jr. (178.153) second and third on the chart.

KHI’s Nelson Piquet Jr. (roof too low), who was fourth, and Vision Aviation Racing’s Aric Almirola (rear too low), who was 26th, had their times disallowed but both trucks were locked in and will start at the rear of the field.

Buescher and Hornaday were among the drivers who got in thanks to their qualifying lap. Others getting in on speed were Turner’s Brad Sweet, Vision Aviation Racing’s Michael Waltrip, Brad Keselowski Racing’s Parker Kligerman, Glenden Enterprises’ Chris Fontaine, Germain Racing’s Justin Lofton, RBR Motorsports’ Clay Rogers, Chase Mattioli Racing’s Chad McCumbee, Turn One Racing’s T.J. Bell and Germain’s Max Papis.

Missing the race were Tagsby Racing’s Rick Crawford, Turn One’s Cole Whitt, Randy Moss Motorsports’ Tayler Malsam, Winfield Motorsports’ Chris Eggleston, Ray Hackett Racing’s Alli Owens, Eddie Sharp Racing’s Mike Skinner, Corrie Stott Racing’s Jamie Dick, Brent Raymer Racing’s Brent Raymer, FDNY Racing’s Grant Enfinger and Alger Motorsports’ Clay Greenfield.

Skinner was ineligible for a past champion’s provisional because he was not entered in the race prior to the deadline.