Concord, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Paul Menard will start on the pole for Friday night's Sprint Showdown -- the 40-lap preliminary event for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race -- after topping the qualifying charts at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Menard, who drives the No. 27 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, turned a lap at 189.673 mph to earn the top starting position for the showdown. Qualifying consisted of two rounds, with the top-12 from the opening round advancing into the final segment.
Greg Biffle qualified second with a lap at 189.660 mph. David Ragan took the third spot, followed by Clint Bowyer, Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson.
Seventh through 12th were: Martin Truex Jr., Danica Patrick, Casey Mears, Michael McDowell, Chase Elliott and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
The winners of the first 20-lap segment and the second 20-lap segment in the showdown will advance to Saturday night's all-star race. The winner of the Sprint Fan Vote will be announced after the conclusion of the showdown, with that driver securing the final eligible position in the 20-car field for the all-star race.
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