For the second time in his Sprint Cup career, A.J. Allmendinger will lead the field to the green flag on race day. Allmendinger, driver of Penske Racing's No. 22 Dodge, claimed the Coors Light Pole for Sunday's STP 400 at the Kansas Speedway after touring the 1.5-mile track in 30.68 seconds.
Kevin Harvick was second in his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, ahead of Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin. Rounding out the top-five was 2005 Kansas winner Mark Martin. His Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. was sixth, Hendrick Motorsports' Dale Earnhardt Jr., was seventh, Clint Bowyer was eighth in the third Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota, Kasey Kahne was ninth in his Hendrick Chevrolet, and Sam Hornish Jr. qualified 10th in his first of two scheduled Cup starts this season for Penske.
Defending-race champion Brad Keselowski was 11th in his Penske Dodge, while October winner Jimmie Johnson was 15th in his Hendrick mount. The fastest Ford was the Sprint Cup point leader and the most-recent race winner, Greg Biffle of Roush-Fenway Racing. Defending Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart will roll off from the 23rd spot.
Unadilla's David Ragan turned the 27th-quickest time in his Front Row Motorsports Ford, while Peachtree City's Reed Sorenson was only 42nd of the 46 cars to attempt the race. Sorenson will race, thanks to his FAS Lane Racing team's position in the top-35 in car owner points.
Among those who missed the show was Tim Andrews, son of 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup championship-winning crew chief Paul Andrews. Tony Raines and Jeff Green also failed to make the grid for Sunday's 400-miler.