Ryan Blaney rides wind to Pennzoil 400 pole position
By Ron Kantowski Las Vegas Review-Journal
Ryan Blaney captured his third career pole and his first at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Blaney, who claimed the front spot for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400, posted the fastest lap in the final round of qualifying with a speed of 191.49 mph. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Ryan Blaney captured his third career pole and his first at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Blaney, who claimed the front spot for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400, posted the fastest lap in the final round of qualifying with a speed of 191.49 mph. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Kyle Busch (51) celebrates after winning his 50th career Camping World Truck Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Kyle Busch (51) celebrates after winning his 50th career Camping World Truck Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Kyle Busch (51) celebrates with his son after winning his 50th career Camping World Truck Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Drivers compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Kyle Busch (51) wins his 50th career Camping World Truck Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Kyle Busch (51) wins his 50th career Camping World Truck Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
A driver fuels up during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Drivers compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Kyle Busch (51) celebrates after winning his 50th career Camping World Truck Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Fans line up to see drivers at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Fans watch the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Kyle Busch before competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Joe Nemechek (87) races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifier at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Drivers line up for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifier at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Joe Nemechek (87) prepares for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifier at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Joe Nemechek (87) and his crew prepare for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifier at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Joe Nemechek (87) prepares for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifier at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Chris Crescent, a 35-year-old entertainer from Las Vegas, and Kyle Petersen, a 33-year-old entertainer from Las Vegas, right, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
An employee directs the way for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Qualifier at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Musicians perform at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
An entertainer walks around at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Ryan Blaney captured his third career pole and his first at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Blaney, who claimed the front spot for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400, posted the fastest lap in the final round of qualifying with a speed of 191.49 mph. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Kyle Larson (42) at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Michael McDowell (34) at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
David Ragan (38) at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Kyle Busch greets fans before competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
A young boy watches as drivers walk by at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
Kyle Busch plays with his son before competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, March 2, 2018. Andrea Cornejo Las Vegas Review-Journal @DreaCornejo
In the old Broadway musicals, they called the wind Maria.
On pole day at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, they called it something else.
“It’s tough and it’s hard to pin it down,” young NASCAR lion Ryan Blaney said Friday after steering through 25 mph winds to set the fastest qualifying time for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400.
“You can get a 20, 25 mph gust one lap and then 5 (mph) the next. It just messes you all up.”
The 24-year-old Blaney, who joined Roger Penske’s high-profile team during the offseason, won the pole spot with a speed of 191.489 mph. Kevin Harvick, last week’s winner at Atlanta, was second at 190.248 followed by Stewart-Haas teammate Kurt Busch of Las Vegas at 190.067. All three were in Fords.
Last year’s Las Vegas and Cup Series champion Martin Truex will start fourth in a Toyota. Chevrolet drivers Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott will begin from Row 3.
Las Vegan Kyle Busch, who will be trying to win his hometown race for the second time, will line up 13th after posting a qualifying speed of 188.838.
The wind is supposed to subside by Sunday, which will come as good news to outside pole starter Harvick.
“You had to be really careful just to get into Turn 3 and not get off the racetrack with the wind blowing in that direction,” Harvick said.
