McMurray wins pole in Sonoma

Jamie McMurray posted a track record with a time of 74.354 seconds

Harold Hinson/HHP for Chevy Racing

Jamie McMurray won the Coors Light Pole Award on Saturday for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway.

This is McMurray's first pole this season and his third at the road course. The No. 1 Chip Ganassi driver posted a fast lap time of 74.354 seconds (96.350 mph). This is the 11th track record of the season and McMurray is the 11th different Coors Light Pole winner of the season.

AJ Allmendinger qualified second for Sunday's race.

Jamie McMurray

Rookie Kyle Larson, Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch round out the starting top five lineup.

Danica Patrick, who also advanced to the final round, qualified 10th.

Notable drivers who did not advance to the final round were Brad Keselowski, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr., Greg Biffle, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer and Kasey Kahne.

The Toyota/Save Mart 350 will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. ET with coverage on TNT.

JAMIE MCMURRAY, NO. 1 CESSNA CHEVROLET SS – POLE SITTER
DESCRIBE THAT FINAL, QUICK LAP:
“I was really shocked that we could run fast on our third run. We made a change, but I’m not sure where that speed came front. That was a really good lap. The biggest thing here is to get off of (turns) 11 and seven with a drive. I really could never get wide open in any gear – first, second or third – off of those corners. We kind of had all the rest of it down. Really good lap. I’m excited. It is cool. This is my third road course pole. That is pretty awesome."

DESCRIBE HOW HARD IT WAS TO GET A CLEAN LAP OUT THERE:
“I think everybody in the garage area has been stressed out about trying to get that clean lap in qualifying all weekend long. I was really fortunate that we drew four, and I got to go right out. I didn’t hear of anyone getting in anyone’s way, but for me, I had two really clean laps so it was great."

WILL WE SEE ANYTHING DIFFERENT TOMORROW?
“I think you are going to see more pit stops when cautions come out. Tires are so important, more important than ever. Every time we go to a road course, we run backwards. Everyone pits 10 laps before they can make it on fuel hoping you are going to see some cautions, but I think you will see guys putting tires on tomorrow. Should be a good race."
FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, YOU WILL PACE THE FIELD TO THE GREEN HERE. HOW IMPRESSED WERE YOU WITH THE WAY THE TIRES PERFORMED IN THAT SESSION?
“Our car, I feel like all weekend long, has not been good on the first lap. Even in qualifying it seemed like I could run quicker on my second (lap). And every weekend, in this qualifying format you’re blown away that someone goes faster on older tires than they can on new tires. The drive off of (Turns) 11 and 7 is so hard here. I didn’t feel like I had that, but I feel like we’ve got the balance of the car better. So, it was a great lap. I’m so excited."

BASED ON THAT INFORMATION, HOW WILL YOU SET YOUR STRATEGY FOR TOMORROW?
“Well, I thought our car in race trim was really good. The No. 15 (Clint Bowyer), I don’t know what happened to him in qualifying. I thought maybe he had the best car in race trim. But our car was really good on the long run. Track position is important. I think for the race, I think you’re going to more pit stops than normal because the tires give up so much. But we’re not going to change a whole lot. I feel really good about it."

AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 47 KINGSFORD/CLOROX CHEVROLET SS – QUALIFIED 2ND
OH, SO CLOSE, BUT NOT QUITE THERE:
“Yes, Jamie (McMurray) put up a heck of a lap there. Two-tenths. Makes me feel a little bit better that he didn’t beat me by two-thousandths, because two-tenths is tough to find. Just proud of everybody on the Kingsford Chevrolet No. 47 team. I think we have a good race car. Honestly, I was nervous about qualifying because we were that good in trim yesterday. So to be on the front row, it sure could be worse. We will go racing tomorrow."

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