Brad Keselowski takes Texas Xfinity pole in tie-breaker

Credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs

by Lisa Janine Cloud

Brad Keselowski and Erik Jones reeled off identical times in the final round of qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway, but the pole was awarded to Keselowski by virtue of owner’s points.

Jones laid down the fastest laps in each of the first two rounds of qualifying, but Keselowski matched the lap of 28.891 seconds in the round of twelve, earning his first pole award at TMS, though it’s his 20th in the Xfinity series.

Matt Tifft, piloting the NOS Energy Drink Toyota, rolls off third, with teammate Daniel Suarez in fourth and Kyle Larson in fifth.

Also of note, Blake Koch, who went to a backup car after his primary car was terminally damaged, earned a 12th-place start.

Four Chasers find themselves starting out of the top twelve: Brendan Gaughan (13th), Ryan Reed (18th), Elliott Sadler (22nd) and Darrell Wallace Jr. (24th).

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge begins at 2:00 p.m. today and will broadcast on NBC.