Joey Logano edges Aric Almirola for Michigan pole

Joey Logano nipped Aric Almirola to claim the pole for tomorrow's Firekeepers Casino 400 at the Michigan International Speedway.

Logano sped to a 187.139 mph lap around the 2.0-mile oval in Brooklyn, Michigan to take his 22nd Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pole career pole and fourth at Michigan. Logano felt pleased to deliver the pole in the backyard of manufacturer Ford and Team Penske, both headquartered in nearby Detroit, Michigan.

"Such a huge advantage to be on the front row here at Michigan and how important it is to have a pole here in Ford's backyard and Roger's backyard to have a good run here," said the driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang.

"Glad we can deliver so far at least in qualifying. Hopefully, in the race, this Shell Pennzoil Ford has as much speed and handling to be able to stay up there."

Stewart Haas Racing driver Aric Almirola came up just .019 of a second short of Logano's time but secured his fifth front row start of the season.

His SHR teammate Kevin Harvick had the third quickest time which solidified a Ford Mustang lockout of positions 1-2-3. Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin broke up the Ford parade with the fourth fastest lap.

Defending race winner Clint Bowyer made it three SHR Fords in the top five ahead of the Wood Brothers Racing Ford of Paul Menard.

Row four was filled by 2003 race winner Kurt Busch and Logano's Team Penske teammate Brad Keselowski while Daniel Suarez and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr completed the top ten.

Series points leader Kyle Busch found himself mired midpack as he only logged the 16th quickest lap time, his first start outside the top ten since Dover two months ago. His fellow championship winning Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex, Jr. fared only a little better in 15th place.

Truex's time came after his No. 19 JGR Toyota failed pre-qualifying inspection, which resulted in his lead engineer's ejection for the remainder of the weekend. He will also lose practice time for the next round at Sonoma Raceway.