Kyle Busch clinches the pole for the Lilly Diabetes 250 by two thousandths of a second over Erik Jones at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, Busch and Jones will start on the pole in their respective heat races. This is the sixth pole for Busch in the 2016 season. 

 

In the first round of single car qualifying, drivers were battling the sun and cloud cover on the speedway. Despite the weather challenges, Erik Jones toppled the track record with a speed of 182.271 mph. Kyle Larson qualified second with a speed of 181.926 mph, Kyle Busch with a speed of 181.899 mph, Daniel Suarez with a speed of 180.242 mph, and Blake Koch with a speed of 179.978 mph. Notable drivers who did not advance include Blake Koch (P13), Darrell Wallace Jr. (P14), Ty Dillon (P16), Brendan Gaughan (P18), and Elliott Sadler (P19). Sadler’s qualifying run was plagued by being too loose. TJ Bell is the lone driver to not qualify for today’s event. 

 

The second round of qualifying saw drivers on a hot and slick racetrack baking in the sun. Kevin Harvick edged out Daniel Suarez for the fourth position by one thousandths of a second. Ryan Sieg, who snuck his way into the second round, qualified 12th. 

 

Drivers who qualified in odd-numbered positions will be in the first heat race, and drivers who qualified in even numbered positions will be in the second heat race. The heat races will be 20 laps each, with the main even being 60 laps.

 

The Lilly Diabetes 250 will begin at 3:30 pm eastern with the first heat. The second heat will begin at approximately 4:25 pm, and the main event will begin at approximately 5:05 pm. NBCSN and IMS Radio Network in collaboration with Performance Racing Network will have coverage beginning at 3:00 pm. 

Caleb Whisler
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