Danica Patrick has made history at Daytona International Speedway, becoming the first female driver to take a NASCAR Sprint Cup pole position ahead of the famous 500 mile race.
Patrick, who also topped Saturday’s practice, is competing in her first full NASCAR season at Cup level this year with Stewart-Haas Racing.
The IndyCar race-winner took pole at Daytona last year during her Nationwide Series campaign.
“I have a feeling it’s going to be one of those things I look back on in 10, 20, 30 years and feel something about,” said Patrick.
“At this point in time it’s just about going out there and getting what you can. You guys can all talk about it, I’m just turning left…”
Jeff Gordon will start second ahead of 2011 race winner Trevor Bayne, while Patrick’s team-mates Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart complete the top five.
Only Patrick and Gordon’s positions are set for next Sunday’s race, with the rest of the grid decided by the results of the two Duel races on Thursday.
Reigning champion Brad Keselowski was 23rd, one place ahead of Australian Marcos Ambrose.
See below for Danica Patrick’s qualifying lap.
Results after qualifying for the Daytona 500
1. Danica Patrick, 196.434
2. Jeff Gordon, 196.292
3. Trevor Bayne, 195.976
4. Ryan Newman, 195.946
5. Tony Stewart, 195.925
6. Kasey Kahne, 195.852
7. Denny Hamlin, 195.771
8. Kyle Busch, 195.767
9. Joey Logano, 195.767
10. Matt Kenseth, 195.725
11. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 195.584
12. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., 195.538
13. Juan Pablo Montoya, 195.508
14. Paul Menard, 195.503
15. Casey Mears, 195.495
16. Austin Dillon, 195.385
17. Carl Edwards, 195.240
18. Clint Bowyer, 195.228
19. Martin Truex Jr., 195.207
20. Jeff Burton, 195.156
21. Jimmie Johnson, 195.084
22. Jamie McMurray, 195.042
23. Brad Keselowski, 194.961
24. Marcos Ambrose, 194.793
25. Kevin Harvick, 194.742
26. Aric Almirola, 194.742
27. Greg Biffle, 194.729
28. Mark Martin, 194.683
29. David Gilliland, 194.654
30. David Ragan, 194.616
31. Michael Waltrip, 194.313
32. Josh Wise, 194.254
33. Kurt Busch, 193.657
34. Michael McDowell, 193.544
35. Scott Speed, 193.540
36. Terry Labonte, 193.515
37. Regan Smith, 193.006
38. Dave Blaney, 192.996
39. Bobby Labonte, 192.563
40. J.J. Yeley, 192.094
41. David Reutimann, 190.339
42. Travis Kvapil, 190.142
43. Joe Nemechek, 190.046
44. Mike Bliss, 186.974
45. Brian Keselowski, 183.876
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