Brad Keselowski

The Dover International Speedway will host the first race of the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Round of 12 on Sunday.

After a number of drivers battled to make their way into the final 12 last time out in Charlotte, North Carolina, thoughts will begin to turn to winning the title, with just seven races left on the calendar.

Despite a disappointing performance at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kyle Busch is seeded first, with Joe Gibbs Racing team-mates Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin in second and third place, respectively. Defending champion Joey Logano sits in fourth as things stand.

Here are the key details for the race weekend, as well as ticketing information, the broadcast schedule and a preview of what to expect from Delaware.

                   

Schedule (ET)

Saturday, October 5

12:05 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying

1:35 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

3 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series, Use Your Melon Drive Sober 200

          

Sunday, October 6

2:30 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Drydene 400

        

Tickets are available to buy on Stubhub. 

Broadcast information: In the United States, the race will be available to watch on NBC, PRN and SiriusXM, as well as the NBC Sports app.

             

Preview

The pressure will be starting to build on the drivers, as only 12 remain in the hunt for the NASCAR Cup Series title.

The playoff format has made even the best competitors edgy too. Busch, who has earned the top seeding spot based on his performances throughout the year, finished in 37th last time out. That will be a concern for the Joe Gibbs star, especially on a track that should have suited his style.

In North Carolina, Busch cut a particularly disconsolate figure as he came into the pits under a red flag with seven minutes remaining. After the race, the playoff top seed explained his thinking:

Because of the damage from the incident n turn 1 n the flat tire, we had a broken sway bar. Our race was over b4 the red flag came out. We decided to not risk tearing up our car anymore. Others had more on the line. Better to call it a day n move on to Dover for the round of 12👊🏻

— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) September 30, 2019

Given his inconsistent form, there are some doubts about whether Busch is a serious contender for the title this year, with his average placing at 19.3 through the three postseason races. 

The NASCAR Twitter account noted it's been a long time since the regular-season champion was on the top step of the podium:

It's been 15 races since @KyleBusch last visited Victory Lane.

Will he return to the top at the @MonsterMile? pic.twitter.com/XR4JV3qCrO

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 4, 2019

However, he's proved himself to be a strong competitor when it comes to the clutch moments of a season and has won three times at Dover previously.

Chase Elliott was the man who capitalised on a difficult day for Busch, Truex Jr. and others in Charlotte and has a sixth-place seeding

Kevin Harvick has also started to pick up results at an opportune time, with two podium finishes in the postseason, including a third-placed finish at Charlotte. The Stewart-Haas racing driver said he relishes this rapid racetrack too, per Pete Pistone of Motor Racing Network:

"Dover is the racetrack where you feel the sensation of speed more than anything. It's a place where you drop off into the corner and slam into a lot of banking and then, as you come out of the corner, it's kind of like jumping out of a hole and up onto the straightaway. It's a really fun place to race.

He's seeded fifth, while Brad Keselowski, who has three top-five finishes in a row, is seventh and a potential dark horse for the overall prize.

Truex Jr. may well be the man to beat again, though. Not only has he shown the best form in the playoffs—he won the first two races of the postseason—but he also clinched victory at this circuit in the regular season.

The NASCAR Cup Championship Playoffs continue Saturday at Richmond Raceway in Virginia, the second of three races in the round of 16.

Martin Truex Jr. is coming off a win in Las Vegas and won at this track earlier this season, while defending champion Joey Logano is in need of a big result after disappointing in qualifying, finishing 28th.

NBC will provide coverage of the race, which is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets are available via StubHub.

Here is a look at the lineup, shared by NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass:

38 Cup cars Richmond. 27-Houff 51-Theriault 52-Smithley 53-Boyd. #nascar pic.twitter.com/n5FU1KmB7t

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 17, 2019

Brad Keselowski will start from pole position, with Kevin Harvick and Chase Elliott his closest rivals in qualifying:

It’s double Penske poles at @RichmondRaceway!

Brad @keselowski to lead the field to green tomorrow night!

15th - Ryan @Blaney / @MenardsRacing
28th - @joeylogano / @ShellMotorsport #NASCAR | #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/WDt1mQuQvm

— Team Penske (@Team_Penske) September 20, 2019

Harvick sits in second place in the playoff standings after the first race of the round of 16, courtesy of his second-placed finish in Las Vegas. He has a three-point deficit to overcome to Truex Jr., while Logano sits third, seven points behind the leader.

The 39-year-old was ecstatic to take the win in Las Vegas to book his spot in the next round:

YES! Awesome way to start the #NASCARPlayoffs!! Unbelievable job by our @BassProShops team! #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/sCyyxPlaOO

— Martin Truex Jr. (@MartinTruex_Jr) September 16, 2019

He will like his chances for repeat success in Richmond after a dominant showing in Las Vegas, where he finished more than four seconds ahead of the pack.

In April, he narrowly beat Logano to the finish line at Richmond, marking his first win on a short track in 81 tries. It was a close call:

He's done it! @MartinTruex_Jr captures his first short-track victory by holding off @joeylogano in Richmond! pic.twitter.com/fwrAol22Lm

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 14, 2019

Further down the field, Kurt Busch needs to put together a run after finishing in last place in Las Vegas. He qualified in ninth place for Saturday's race and is ranked 14th and on the outside looking in for the round of 12, which starts in October.

Denny Hamlin will be another one to watch, as he has three career wins at the track:

Pole-sitter Keselowski finished in third place in Las Vegas and seventh in the spring race at Richmond, so he too will be one to keep an eye on.

                 

Prediction: In-form Harvick secures his spot in the next round with a win at Richmond.

Brad Keselowski earned the pole position for Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 400 after posting the best time in the two laps of qualifying Friday at Richmond Raceway in Virginia.

Keselowski will be joined by Kevin Harvick on the front row for the second race in the round of 16 of the NASCAR Monster Energy Series Cup Championship Playoffs. Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch will break from Row 2.

Brad @Keselowski TAKES THE POLE in qualifying!

He'll lead the field to green Saturday night at @RichmondRaceway on NBCSN. @Team_Penske pic.twitter.com/XfJcHfj6ja

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 20, 2019

Here's a look at the complete top 10 (via NASCAR.com):

1. Brad Keselowski

2. Kevin Harvick

3. Chase Elliott

4. Kyle Busch

5. Clint Bowyer

6. Denny Hamlin

7. Aric Almirola

8. Martin Truex Jr.

9. Kurt Busch

10. Jimmie Johnson

          

Martin Truex Jr., the 2017 Cup Series champion, occupies the No. 1 spot in the standings thanks to his victory in last week's South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The 39-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing star said he's not going to play it safe despite the win earning him a guaranteed berth in the round of 12 starting in October.

"These next two races are all about scoring more playoff points for us," he said. "It's great for us knowing that we're already locked in, but we want to try to pad our advantage to start out that next round."

Those on the bubble are facing far more pressure in Richmond, though.

It's a group that includes 2004 Cup Series champion Kurt Busch. The Las Vegas native lamented a last-place finish in the playoff opener in his hometown last week:

Devastating blow. But we are fighters, and if we execute the way we’re capable of, and keep the car clean, we’ll be fine.

— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) September 16, 2019

He'll start ninth after a strong second run in qualifying Friday.

The green flag for the Federated Auto Parts 400 is scheduled to wave Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. The final race of the current playoff round, the Bank of America Roval 400, will take place Sept. 29 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The first round-of-16 playoff of the 2019 NASCAR season will take place on Sunday in the South Point 400 in Las Vegas.

The top 16 drivers from the regular season, from Kyle Busch to Ryan Newman, will compete over 267 laps of the 1.5-mile Las Vegas Motor Speedway circuit.

On Saturday, the final race of the Xfinity Series regular season will be held in the DC Solar 300.

Be great, or be gone.

The best racing is now with the #NASCARPlayoffs, and it kicks off Sunday at 7PM ET on NBCSN from @LVMotorSpeedway! pic.twitter.com/zS6SwB6Czj

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 9, 2019

                   

Schedule

Saturday, September 14

2:35 p.m. ET: Xfinity Series Qualifying

4:05 p.m. ET: Cup Series Qualifying

7:30 p.m. ET: DC Solar 300 Race

              

Sunday, September 15

7 p.m. ET: South Point 400 Race

        

TV Info: NBCSN (U.S.)

      

Tickets are available to purchase on StubHub and via the circuit's official website.

 

            

Preview

Here's a look at the 16-driver field after Ryan Newman claimed the last playoff spot with his eighth-place finish in the Big Machine Vodka 400 last time out:

The #NASCARPlayoffs are set.

Join us for more post-race coverage of the #Brickyard400 on NBCSN! Stream here: https://t.co/CAYgs2g5vY pic.twitter.com/rGH8diXjiB

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 8, 2019

Busch hasn't added to his four wins since June, but he's the man to beat having topped the standings in the regular season.

He has a strong record in Las Vegas, too. In his last five appearances there, he's only finished outside the top seven once.

The 34-year-old has also been a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs in recent years, having qualified for the championship race in each of the last four years.

Busch hasn't won the title since 2015, though, and he's eager to put that right. 

He said during media day: 

"I've been asked this question every single year, and yeah, if you don't win a championship it's disappointing. I've been to the Homestead race four years in a row, and I've only won it once.

"I don't know if that is a little LeBron James-esque, but it feels like I can get there but just can't seal the deal. It's kind of crazy that it comes down to one race and one race track."

Team Penske's Joey Logano, who won the championship last year, won the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas in March.

Per Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass, he is feeling confident despite a difficult spell at the end of the regular season:

Does Joey Logano and his team have the defending champion swagger or is it in their head that before the second at Indy on Sunday, they had five consecutive finishes of 13th or worse? #nascar ⁦@NASCARONFOX⁩ pic.twitter.com/rw33XoaIIV

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 12, 2019

His teammate Brad Keselowski is the defending champion at the South Point 400, and he has an incredible record in Las Vegas.

Since 2013, Keselowski has picked up three wins there and has never finished lower than seventh.

Another one to watch will be Kevin Harvick, who enters the playoffs with the most momentum of any driver after he picked up three wins and three top-seven finishes in the final seven races of the regular season.

The final two participants for the 2019 NASCAR Monster Energy Series postseason will be determined at one of the most famous venues in motor sports. 

Clint Bowyer, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson have the potential to clinch playoff berths on points, while any driver beneath them in the standings could qualify with a victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

A week ago at Darlington, Erik Jones won to secure his spot alongside Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick and others. 

Sunday presents the competitors with a unique situation since qualifying occurs the morning of the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard.

                           

NASCAR at Indianapolis Information

Start Time: 2 p.m. ET 

TV: NBC 

Ticket Info: Available tickets can be found on StubHub.

                 

Bowyer enters the Brickyard with the best chance to secure a playoff position without taking first place. 

According to NASCAR.com's clinching scenarios, the driver of the No. 14 car needs 48 points and a new winner, or 46 points if a previous race champion crosses the finish line in the top spot. 

Bowyer and his Stewart-Haas Racing team have confidence going into Sunday because of a fifth-place finish in 2018, as he noted to Motorsport.com's Jim Utter. 

"It's all lining up to be a really big weekend, between racing at a place like Indianapolis and for as high of stakes as we are racing for," Bowyer said. "It's pretty clear cut what we have to do if we want to get into the playoffs. 

"We are confident," Bowyer said. "We ran well at Indy last year and we'll need to do it again. This is what the playoff format was designed to do." 

The 40-year-old holds an eight-point advantage over Suarez and Newman, who both have to gain 54 to go along with a repeat winner to land in the playoffs. 

Jimmie Johnson lies 18 back of the pair, and he needs help from all around the field to join the 16-man playoff if he fails to come out on top. 

The seven-time series champion has not won in 84 races, but there are some younger competitors rooting for the No. 48 car to enter Victory Lane, per NBC Sports' Dustin Long. 

"I would like to see him just win to shut everyone up," Kyle Larson said. "When you are watching somebody like that dominate, you never expect to see them in this position, being winless for as long as he's been, at risk of not making the playoffs and having a chance to win the championship." 

The good news for Johnson is Hendrick Motorsports has the most NASCAR victories at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and he has captured the crown on four occasions. 

If the driver and crew of the No. 48 car conjure up some of the Hendrick magic at the Brickyard, Johnson could slide into the field while knocking out a few drivers ahead of him. 

There are plenty of racers already locked into the playoffs capable of finishing the regular season in first, and in turn, they could make the last two spots come down to points. 

Brad Keselowski is the defending champion at the Brickyard. Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. all have a quartet of victories in 2019. 

If a playoff driver finds Victory Lane, the drama will shift to track positioning and possibly some risky racing from the other postseason hopefuls. 

                        

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90

Statistics obtained from NASCAR.com  

Denny Hamlin started Saturday night in first and ended that way as he took down the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race in Bristol, Tennessee for his fourth win of the Monster Energy Cup Series season on Saturday evening.

Denny delivers again!

Retweet to congratulate @dennyhamlin on his fourth victory of the 2019 season! #ItsBristolBaby pic.twitter.com/LVuuDLzykF

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 18, 2019

Hamlin, who won the pole position after Friday's qualifying run, is now second in the playoff standings with just two races remaining between now and the Cup Championship Playoffs, which begin on Sept. 15.

Hamlin and second-place finisher Matt DiBenedetto were the stories on Saturday evening. 

The 38-year-old victor is white-hot heading into the playoffs, finishing top five in each of his last six races and winning two of them. He earned his latest victory after slowly closing the gap between him and then-race leader DiBenedetto before passing him with 12 laps remaining:

For the lead, it's Denny Hamlin! pic.twitter.com/J3GI0th5rQ

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 18, 2019

The two enjoyed a sizable edge on the field by the race's end, with third-place finisher Brad Keselowski ending his night nearly six full seconds behind DiBenedetto.

Hamlin now has 13 top-five finishes in 24 Monster Energy Cup races this season, three more than he had all of last year. He's only looking up at Kyle Busch in the standings.

DiBenedetto's performance came in the aftermath of a difficult week for the 28-year-old, who received news that his tenure with the Leavine Family Racing team would end after one year.

That effectively leaves DiBenedetto as a free agent heading into the 2020 season, and he embraced his underdog role pre-race when he came out to the Rocky theme:

Matt "The Italian Stallion" DiBenedetto!@MattDRacing went out to the "Rocky" theme, and it was amazing. pic.twitter.com/yVzPLuIRwI

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 17, 2019

However, DiBenedetto made a strong case to find a new home thanks to his strong performance, during which he led all drivers with 93 laps.

The ending didn't go as hoped, and DiBenedetto provided some insight to the crew, per Performance Racing Network:

Matt DiBenedetto comes home P2: "I don't even know what to say, I'm so sad we didn't win but proud of the effort...I got tight from the damage of getting into Newman and that immediately flipped the switch. This opportunity, I'm so thankful for this opportunity"

— PRN (@PRNlive) August 18, 2019

After the race, an emotional DiBenedetto showed class in defeat, congratulating Hamlin and noting how badly he wants to stick on the Monster Energy Cup Series circuit elsewhere.

"I'm here to win."

An emotional @mattdracing speaks after finishing second at Bristol. pic.twitter.com/semJNMviuj

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 18, 2019

Hamlin returned the favor, with DiBenedetto being the first person mentioned in his postrace interview:

The first thing on @DennyHamlin's mind as he climbed out of the race car after a win?

"I'm so sorry for @MattDRacing." pic.twitter.com/8wX1h9Hyfe

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 18, 2019

Although he didn't win, DiBenedetto gained a legion of fans rooting for him. Jeff Gluck of The Athletic noted the Bristol crowd's post-race reaction:

They just showed Matt on the video board and the stadium erupted in cheers.

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) August 18, 2019

The Bojangles' Southern 500 is next on the docket, set to take place on Sunday, Sept. 1 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.

NBCSN will televise the event, which begins at 6 p.m. ET.

There's no stopping Kevin Harvick at Michigan International Speedway.

Harvick defended his title at Sunday's Consumers Energy 400 in Brooklyn, Michigan, in dramatic fashion. He was trailing a combination of Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski and others for extended stretches but charged to the lead with 17 laps and never relinquished it on his way to victory.

Saved enough to get it done. ✅

Retweet to congratulate @KevinHarvick on another victory at @MISpeedway! 🏁 pic.twitter.com/p4SrlUTEWT

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 11, 2019

He defeated second-place finisher Hamlin by 1.054 seconds.

Here is a look at the top finishers, per NASCAR.com:

1. Kevin Harvick

2. Denny Hamlin

3. Kyle Larson

4. Martin Truex Jr.

5. Daniel Suarez

6. Kyle Busch

7. Ryan Preece

8. William Byron

9. Chase Elliott

10. Alex Bowman

Many of the sport's biggest names had momentum entering Sunday's race.

Chase Elliott was coming off a win at the Go Bowling at the Glen at Watkins Glen International, while Truex and Hamlin finished closely behind him in second and third place. What's more, Keselowski won the pole position in Friday's qualifying.

The Michigan native had nothing but open track in front of him as he looked to win at his home track for the first time in his career, but it was Truex who set the tone early.

The No. 19 car found himself at the back of the field in Stage 1 but rallied to the leader's spot, held off Hamlin and seized a playoff point in his 500th career start.

The green flag is out, and @MartinTruex_Jr officially has 500 starts in @NASCAR!

What an accomplishment for the 2017 Cup Series champ. @JoeGibbsRacing pic.twitter.com/PCLmqqgN9b

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 11, 2019

From last to first!

Martin Truex Jr. wins Stage 1 at Michigan, presented by @Kroger #ClickList. pic.twitter.com/54VTjLWmWC

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 11, 2019

It was more of the same for Truex, who is one of nine drivers who arrived at Michigan having already qualified for the playoffs. Hamlin, Elliott, Keselowski, Logano, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Harvick and Alex Bowman were the others.

Truex nearly won the second stage as well but lost in a drama-filled ending.

There was a one-lap shootout following a spin from Keselowski, and Kyle Busch came from right behind the first stage winner to take Stage 2. Daniel Hemric, Austin Dillon and Aric Almirola crashed behind him as he earned a playoff point, and Almirola was held for two laps because he had too many men over the wall under damaged vehicle policy.

Things can happen in a hurry at @MISpeedway.

Take a look at what unfolded coming to the end of Stage 2. pic.twitter.com/iQc6clSAOE

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 11, 2019

Kyle Busch won the stage, but Keselowski's save was the most impressive part of the head-turning stretch:

What a save by Brad @keselowski!

Sparks fly from the @Team_Penske No. 2, but he hangs on to that car at @MISpeedway. Watch @NASCAR on NBCSN or stream here: https://t.co/wmwQrlNwAP pic.twitter.com/nqeZgdaaSl

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 11, 2019

Clint Bowyer was not as fortunate and crashed into the outside wall during the early going of Stage 3. It was a particularly important crash because he is firmly on the NASCAR playoffs bubble entering the race at 15th in the standings.

Correction: Because Clint Bowyer scored two points for finishing ninth in Stage 2, he will earn a total of three points today -- currently a single point more than Johnson, who could still move up in the running order.

— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) August 11, 2019

Elsewhere, Kurt Busch and Logano each took their turn in front of the rest of the field heading into the stretch run. Busch fell back, though, temporarily clearing the way for Logano, Ryan Blaney and Keselowski up front in a dream for Team Penske.

Still, the fuel situation loomed as the primary storyline, which helped Harvick propel his way into second:

Fuel concerns for @Blaney as the laps wind down?

🔊🆙 for the No. 12's team radio. pic.twitter.com/4Pogcv5BZk

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 11, 2019

🔼: @KevinHarvick
🔽: @Blaney

The 4⃣ is on the march once again as he moves into second. pic.twitter.com/Gmr0J9yQ2e

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 11, 2019

When you have no idea who’s gonna make it on fuel...#ConsumersEnergy400 pic.twitter.com/bYbqJXwsCH

— Michigan International Speedway (@MISpeedway) August 11, 2019

Harvick was in control from there, taking the lead with 17 laps remaining and extending the advantage over Logano without any fuel concerns. Logano and Keselowski could not say the same and were forced to pit, but Hamlin attempted to close the gap without stopping.

The decision was enough for second place, but there was no catching Harvick down the stretch.

Harvick was the best on the Michigan International Speedway track once again and will look to keep the momentum rolling as attention turns toward Saturday's Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The 2019 NASCAR season will continue with the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday.

Thirty-eight drivers will compete over 200 laps in the 400-mile race, the 23rd of 26 events in the regular season.

On Saturday, the Truck Series will resume with 100-lap Corrigan Oil 200.

                               

Schedule

Saturday, August 10

9:35 a.m. ET: Truck Series Qualifying

1 p.m. ET: Corrigan Oil 200 Race

        

Sunday, August 11

3 p.m. ET: Consumers Energy 400 Race

                      

TV Info: Fox Sports 1 (Truck Series), NBCSN (Cup Series)

      

The full list of drivers competing at Michigan can be found on the NBC Sports website.

Tickets are available to purchase on StubHub and via the circuit's official website.

                   

Preview

Michigan native Brad Keselowski will begin Sunday's race on pole after a strong performance in qualifying:

It'd be a special win for Brad @Keselowski if he gets it done on Sunday in his home state.

He's off to a good start, winning the pole at @MISpeedway. @Team_Penske pic.twitter.com/rqcerigrX0

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 9, 2019

The Team Penske driver has topped qualifying once before this season, at the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 in New Hampshire, but he only managed to finish 10th in that race.

This time, he's hoping to convert the pole into a victory:

Second fastest in practice. ✅
Fastest in qualifying. ✅

Is Sunday the day @keselowski finally wins in his home state? pic.twitter.com/xIj4kveOV9

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 9, 2019

Keselowski has won three races this season, but he has not managed a podium finish since the Pocono 400 on June 2.

He was runner-up in Michigan last year, his fourth podium finish at his home race, but he is frustrated that he's yet to win there, per NBC Sports' Daniel McFadin:

"It definitely nags on me. The advantage of being the pole-sitter is really dependent on how the yellows fall and the pit strategies fall. It can be a huge advantage if the race has a lot of yellows but if the race doesn’t have many yellows it can be maybe a slight disadvantage with pit stalls and things of that nature. It plays out to how the strategy unfolds as much as anything else."

Among his competitors for the victory on Sunday will be Chase Elliott, who will start sixth on the grid.

He won Go Bowling at The Glen last time out having started on pole and led 80 of 90 laps. He has finished in the top 10 of all three of his Cup Series appearances at Michigan, the first of which was second place.

Kevin Harvick could be Keselowski's biggest rival, though.

The defending champion picked up his second win in Michigan in this race last year, and he'll start the race second on the grid.

In his last six Cup Series appearances on this track, he's only finished outside the top five once, so he's likely to be in contention.  

Brad Keselowski claimed his second pole of the season and will start from the No. 1 spot Sunday in the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

Keselowski posted a lap time of 37.801 seconds and a top speed of 190.471 mph, edging out Kevin Harvick. William Byron, Alex Bowman and Clint Bowyer fill out the top five.

He saved the best for last! 😱@keselowski knocks off @KevinHarvick to take the pole at his home track of @MISpeedway! pic.twitter.com/8jBYM1WMUa

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 9, 2019

Here's the top 10, with the full starting order available at NASCAR.com:

           

Consumers Energy 400 Qualifying Results

1. Brad Keselowski

2. Kevin Harvick

3. William Byron

4. Alex Bowman

5. Clint Bowyer

6. Chase Elliott

7. Austin Dillon

8. Ryan Blaney

9. Joey Logano

10. Paul Menard

          

Keselowski is a native of Rochester Hills, Michigan. He's still looking for a victory at his home track after finishing as runner-up twice in 20 tries over his career.

Second fastest in practice. ✅
Fastest in qualifying. ✅

Is Sunday the day @keselowski finally wins in his home state? pic.twitter.com/xIj4kveOV9

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 9, 2019

Historically, Keselowski has performed well in Brooklyn. His average finish of 11.6 is third among active drivers, and he has never failed to finish a race.

The 35-year-old has three wins already this season to lock up a playoff berth, and a fourth checkered flag would tie him for the most this season. He enters the race sitting fourth in the playoff standings with 728 points.

Likewise, Harvick's status for the round of 16 is secured after he got his long-awaited win in July's Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. However, he's seventh in the standings despite having accrued the third-most points (777). A first-place finish at Michigan would move Harvick into sixth.

Byron and Bowyer have a little more riding on the Consumers Energy 400. Both drivers are without a victory, and Bowyer in particular is on the playoff bubble. His 556 points are only 12 more than Ryan Newman in 17th place.

Including Sunday's event, four races remain before the playoffs begin. The drivers who remain winless are running out of time to solidify their status in the top 16.

A trip to Victory Lane won't be a requirement to contend for a title in September—seven drivers in the current playoff field have yet to taste success—but it would eliminate a lot of stress for those still with work to do.

With the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series playoffs getting closer, the battle for positions will continue Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

There are seven races remaining before the playoffs begin with the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 15. With only eight drivers notching wins this season, there are still plenty of playoff berths available.

Any driver who notches a win over the next seven races will qualify for the postseason, and only a few points separate the drivers in from those who are out.

Here's everything you need to know entering this week's Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire.

                    

NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Info

Date: Sunday, July 21

Time: 3 p.m. ET

TV: NBC Sports Network

Tickets: Available on StubHub

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For the first time since August 2017, Brad Keselowski will be leading the Sprint Cup field to the green flag for Sunday's race at New Hampshire.

Keselowski is third in the points standings behind Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr., and he will be looking for his first win at the track since 2014.

"This definitely surprised me," Keselowski said, according to NASCAR.com's Reid Spencer. "It's been a while since we've had a pole. We've had really good cars but haven't been able to make the most of it with the driver in qualifying, so it's nice to get one here in Loudon."

Although Keselowski hadn't led the field to the green flag in some time, he's looking forward to the opportunity to capitalize on his strong starting position.

"The first pit stall will be huge for sure," Keselowski said, per Spencer. "This track on pit road has a lot of chaos. I'm not saying you can't wreck in pit stall No. 1, but it's a little harder there and it certainly makes life a lot easier for your pit crew. It's like you're in the HOV lane [on pit exit]."

Kurt Busch will be starting alongside Keselowski on the front row after he won the previous race at Kentucky Speedway. Busch sits seventh in the standings, just ahead of Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman, who have one win each this season.

Prior to qualifying, Elliott had the fastest time during the first practice at New Hampshire, turning a lap at 137.086 mph. With that strong showing and a 12th-place starting position, Elliott will be looking to earn his second victory of the Sprint Cup season.

Meanwhile, Keselowski will be hoping to turn his pole position into a victory and momentum.

"We're happy with that effort," Keselowski said, according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com). "It certainly bodes well for our shot to get those stage wins and of course the overall race win come Sunday. But we still have to go earn it. So you're happy for it. You take a breath and you celebrate it and you get your head back down and go to work."

Keselowski could move into a tie for the most Sprint Cup wins this season with Kyle Busch and Truex if he can win Sunday's race. That would bode well as this trio of drivers looks to gain momentum as the playoffs draw nearer.