Video: NASCAR Atlanta Cup series post-qualifying Q&A

Kyle Busch

Ryan Newman was within seconds of breaking a pole drought that dates to 2013 – until Kyle Busch made his final-round qualifying run at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Covering the 1.54-mile distance in 30.024 seconds (184.652 mph) in the money round of Friday’s knockout qualifying session, Busch edged Newman by 0.038 seconds to win his first pole of the young Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, his first at Atlanta and the 28th of his career.

Second-Place Qualifier Ryan Newman (No. 31 Liberty National Chevrolet) and Pole Winner Kyle Busch (No. 18 Snickers Almond Toyota)