BRISTOL, Tenn. — Chase Elliott positioned himself to give Hendrick Motorsports a shot at its first victory of the season with a pole-winning run at Bristol Motor Speedway. Elliott earned his first pole on a short track with a fast lap at 131.7132 mph Friday around the bullring to earn the fifth pole of his career. Blaney set a track record in the second round of qualifying, but in the third round, when the starting order is set, Elliott had the faster car. Hendrick Motorsports, coming off one of the worst seasons in its storied history, has won three poles this season with Elliott, Byron and Jimmie Johnson. Elliott led 49 laps at the Virginia short track before fading against winner Brad Keselowski, but the showing at Martinsville coupled with the pole at Bristol has Elliott in position to get his first win of the season.

Source: National Post April 05, 2019 23:03 UTC