QUALIFYING: Rhodes Takes Sixth Pole
Looks To Repeat History At Greenville
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Ben Rhodes, looking to sweep the 2014 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East races at Greenville Pickens Speedway, will start Saturday’s Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140 on the pole.
Rhodes earned his sixth 21 Means 21 Pole Award presented by Coors Brewing Co., posting a fast lap of 20.742 seconds (86.780 mph) in afternoon qualifying.
The 17-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, also had the fastest overall time in practice. Rhodes needs only to finish 13th or better in the race to clinch the series championship.
Gray Gaulding, who went out last among of the 22 cars who qualified, followed in second (20.903 seconds /86.112 mph). Cameron Hayley was third (21.011 seconds/85.669 mph) with Brodie Kostecki and Austin Hill rounding out the top five.
Sergio Pena, Ryan Gifford, Ronnie Bassett Jr., Kaz Grala and Nick Drake completed the top 10.
Rhodes earned his first career series victory at Greenville earlier this season. He began that event from the pole as well.
Green flag is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
NKNPS East Greenville 9/6/14 Qualifying
Pos No. Name Sponsor Best Tm Best Speed
1 41 Ben Rhodes* Alpha Energy Solutions Chevrolet 20.742 86.780
2 20 Gray Gaulding Krispy Kreme Chevrolet 20.903 86.112
3 98 Cameron Hayley Cabinets by Hayley Chevrolet 21.011 85.669
4 43 Brodie Kostecki* Arcoplate Toyota 21.023 85.621
5 22 Austin Hill * A&D Welding/Don Rich Ford 21.052 85.503
6 4 Sergio Pena Toyota Racing Development Toyota 21.069 85.434
7 2 Ryan Gifford UTI/NASCAR Technical Institute Toyota 21.071 85.425
8 4 Ronnie Bassett Jr. * Bassett Racing Chevrolet 21.107 85.280
9 31 Kaz Grala* OzLINK Chevrolet 21.132 85.179
10 15 Nick Drake * NAPA Auto Parts Toyota 21.155 85.086
11 6 Bryan Ortiz Rev Racing Toyota 21.196 84.922
12 34 Scott Heckert Project Lifesaver Chevrolet 21.199 84.910
13 33 Brandon Jones Richard Childress Museum Chevrolet 21.212 84.858
14 42 Jay Beasley* Toyota Racing Development Toyota 21.218 84.834
15 97 Jesse Little Mac’s Speed Shop Chevrolet 21.232 84.778
16 21 Mackena Bell Special Smiles Pediatric Dentistry Toyota 21.236 84.762
17 24 Brennan Newberry Qore24 Chevrolet 21.237 84.758
18 81 Will Burns * Burns Brothers Racing Chevrolet 21.288 84.555
19 52 Quin Houff * Quin Houff Racing Chevrolet 21.316 84.444
20 96 Kenzie Ruston Ben Kennedy Racing Chevrolet 21.384 84.175
21 1 Trey Hutchens * NISCO/NRC Toyota 21.504 83.705
22 18 Sam Hunt DRIVE Technology Toyota 21.651 83.137
*Rookie of the Year contender
Sources: Amaris Noble, NASCAR PR