Denny Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, will lead the field for Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway after winning the Busch Pole Award with a lap of 31.059 seconds, 173.863 mph.
Hamlin earned his fourth pole of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season and the 30th of his career. It is Hamlin’s third pole in his last four starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hamlin now holds the Homestead-Miami Speedway track record with three Busch Pole Awards. Hamlin has been successful at Homestead-Miami Speedway throughout his career, recording nine top-10s and two wins (2009, 2013) in 13 starts at the 1.5-mile championship track.
“It’s big for us to get this race team up front here,” said Hamlin. “We definitely want to end on a high note and try to win. 2013 we were in the same predicament where we hadn’t won a race until the final race and we got it done, so hopefully it’s our time to do it.”
Three of the four Championship 4 drivers – Kyle Busch, Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr. – will be starting in the top-5 on Sunday. Kevin Harvick will be the lowest-starting Championship 4 contender, beginning the 267-lap championship race in the 12th position.
“I thought we made the right adjustments and hit the right line and did a good job with everything,” said Busch. “I guess we didn’t have enough speed there. Overall, I’m pleased with the effort today and the guys did a good job. The car felt pretty good”
The Ford EcoBoost 400, which will air on NBC and MRN Radio/Sirius XM, will start at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 18.
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