Brad Keselowski Sweeps the Poles For NASCAR's Top Two Series at Phoenix

          With a time of 26.855 seconds (134.053 mph), Brad Keselowski was able to take his second pole on the weekend at Phoenix. Keselowski, who qualified on the pole for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, was one of the contenders for the pole heading into the session. Kyle Busch was leading after the first of two sessions during the group session, but Keselowski was second. In the final part of the group qualifying session, Keselowski went out and laid down a beautiful lap that lasted the entire ten minutes of the final session for the pole. It was the second race the series used the group qualifying session format. The new idea is definitely impressive. In the final minutes of both sessions, teams were thrashing to gain positions on the field. The first session ended with only twelve drivers moving on while the second session was all about deciding who would lead the field to green. It was certainly something new for NASCAR and it is certainly an idea that is working great. One thing has remained the same with this group qualifying format: a desire to win the pole. This was especially evident as the teams battled for the pole and battle they did.

       Carl Long was the first driver scheduled to go on track and he went out first. He ran a rather slow lap, but the importance was the driver's looking to make their way into the top twelve in only thirty minutes. The top position switched hands early, but Elliott Sadler fell into the top spot about five minutes in. Brad Keselowski then headed on track and was able to grab the top spot just a minute or two later. Other drivers battled for the pole after Keselowski and others battled for the bubble position, but Keselowski still remained at the top. That was until Kyle Busch went out. Busch went out with about fifteen minutes left in the session and blistered Keselowski's pole speed by around two tenths. Busch looked in control, but the battle was for the twelfth position behind him. Ryan Reed, Brendan Gaughan, Kyle Larson, and others were battling hard for the final transfer spot to the second round. Dylan Kwasniewski made his way on track with around ten minutes to go and he was hoping to move into the top twelve. Quickly, only five minutes remained in the session. A large group of drivers made their way onto the track looking for the final transfer spot. Each one moved up and took the spot, but another driver was quickly able to knock them back down. Soon, only one minute remained. Ryan Reed, Dylan Kwasniewski, Brendan Gaughan, and so many others were hoping to jump in the top twelve. The black and red flag soon waved, which brought the end of the first session. Kyle Busch, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Ty Dillon, Brian Scott, Chase Elliott, Regan Smith, Trevor Bayne, Kevin Harvick, Elliott Sadler, and Kyle Larson were the twelve to move on while Dylan Kwasniewski, Ryan Reed, James Buescher, and others missed the second round. Now, twelve drivers would have ten minutes to compete for the pole position.

        After a ten minute break, the twelve began battling for the pole position. Elliott Sadler went out early and was able to take the provisional pole spot. He wouldn't hold it long as Brad Keselowski went out two minutes into the session and laid down the fastest lap of the entire two sessions combined. Keselowski looked good, but eight minutes remained. Kyle Busch went out with about six left to go and he couldn't beat Keselowski's time. Brian Scott went out with about two minutes to go, but he fell just two one thousandths of a second short of his first pole at the track. There were still two minutes left for the rest of the drivers to try and take the pole from Keselowski. The seconds clicked down and a few drivers remained looking for the pole. Regan Smith was the last driver left on track at speed when the red and black flag waved. He wouldn't come up with a lap fast enough to surpass Keselowski and the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion would lead the Nationwide field to green at Phoenix. With his second pole on the weekend, Brad Keselowski looks practically unstoppable.

        So far this year, the brand new group qualifying format has exceeded the expectations of everyone. The format has created great qualifying racing, tense minutes for teams on the outside looking in, and some controversial moments only two races into the season. Yes, Cup regulars are still qualifying on the pole in the Nationwide Series, but it has become an absolute battle. It looks like today's race will be a battle between most of the Cup guys, but watch out because Brian Scott, Ty Dillon, Elliott Sadler, and other Nationwide regulars look to have great machines. We also have to count the short race and the small track in Phoenix into the mix as well. Plus, the radar says rain is close the track. This qualifying session could very well turn out to be the measuring stick for the racing we will see in just a few short minutes. Hopefully, the race is just as good and tense as the session was. The Blue Jeans Go Green 200 at Phoenix will get under way in just a little while. Will Brad Keselowski take the pole and the win, will Kyle Busch take his third straight win at the track, or will a Nationwide regular blister these Cup regulars? We don't have to wait long to find this out and more. 
(More Stats Down Below!)




Top 5 Qualifiers (With Times):
1st: Brad Keselowski     26.855 (134.053 mph)
2nd: Brian Scott       26.857 (134.043 mph)
3rd: Kyle Busch       26.870 (133.978 mph)
4th: Matt Kenseth      26.949 (133.586 mph)
5th: Ty Dillon     26.996 (133.353 mph)

Notables Not in Top 5 (With Times):
6th: Elliott Sadler     26.997 (133.348 mph)
7th: Kevin Harvick     27.002 (133.323 mph)
8th: Regan Smith     27.061 (133.033 mph)
9th: Kyle Larson      27.080 (132.939 mph)
11th: Chase Elliott     27.150 (132.597 mph)
13th: Dylan Kwasniewski     27.191 (132.397 mph)
14th: Brendan Gaughan     27.192 (132.392 mph)
16th: James Buescher      27.236 (132.178 mph)

DNQs: None




Credits:
-My Own Notes
-Statistics:
http://www.nascar.com/en_us/nationwide-series/leaderboard/leaderboard-qualification.html
http://racing-reference.info/getqualify/2014-02/B
-Image:
http://image.musclemustangfastfords.com/f/features/mmfp_1303_sam_hornish_jr_dominates_nascar_nationwide_in_las_vegas/49048575/mmf-1303-03%2Bsam-hornish-domiates-nascar-nationwide-in-las-vegas%2Bbrad-keselowski.jpg