Austin Dillon left it to the final 15 seconds of qualifying to grab the pole for the Auto Club 400 at Fontana in California.
It was Dillon first pole of the season, and only the second (Daytona 500 2014) in his Sprint Cup career aboard the famous #3 of Richard Childress Racing.
Last week's winner, Kevin Harvick, led the final round until topped the speed charts with a 303.332km/h (188.482 mph) lap.
“It means everything,” said Dillon.
“I'm not just a Daytona 500 pole sitter now. I've got a pole somewhere else.”
Following Dillon and Harvick on Friday were Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman and Carl Edwards.
Defending race winner Brad Keselowski will start 15th, while California native Jimmie Johnson, who has earned five wins at Fontana, qualified 19th.
QUALIFYING: Auto Club 400 – Auto Club Speedway Fontana