Homestead, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Championship contender Sam Hornish Jr. will start on the pole for Saturday's season-ending race in the Nationwide Series while points leader Austin Dillon qualified 11th at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Hornish, who enters the Ford EcoBoost 300 just eight points behind Dillon, turned a lap at 165.843 mph for his fourth pole of the season and the fifth of his Nationwide career. Hornish and Dillon are the only drivers who remain in contention for the series title.
Dillon, who is seeking to become just the third driver to win both a Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series championship, posted a lap at 163.825 mph. His truck title came in 2011.
Regardless of what Hornish does at Homestead, Dillon will clinch the title if he finishes third or better, fourth or higher with at least one lap led or fifth or better with the most laps led.
Blake Koch, who is driving the No. 99 Toyota for RAB Racing in this event, qualified a career-best second with a lap at 165.781 mph.
Sprint Cup Series regulars Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Busch will start third through sixth, respectively.
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