FIRST TIMER: Kyle Larson Wins First Career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Pole

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – He's won in the World of Outlaws, USAC Sprints and Midgets, and he's been a finalist for the SPEED TV Performer of the Year alongside the likes of Tony Stewart, Dario Franchitti and Sebastian Vettel.

Until Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium, Kyle Larson had never won a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East pole award.

Larson, 19, of Elk Grove, Calif., leapt to the top of the charts in qualifying for the NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 – the only driver to break the 14.7-second barrier – to win the 21 Means 21 Pole Award for at Bowman Gray Stadium. Bowman toured the track in 14.696 seconds (61.241 mph) to win the pole in just his fifth series start.

“I saw the whole season of 'Madhouse,' so I know what goes on here,” Larson said, referring to the History Channel reality series a couple of years ago featuring Modified racing at the unique quarter-mile track. “We were good in practice, but we were better on older tires so I think we'll be pretty good in the race.”

Corey LaJoie, last year's runner-up in the series debut at Bowman Gray, qualified second. Sean Caisse – making his first start of the season for MacDonald Motorsports – joined Sergio Pena and Darrell Wallace Jr. in the Top-5 on the starting grid.

Chase Elliott, who swept both practice sessions on the time sheet, qualified sixth. Travis Pastrana qualified 21st out of the 22 cars.

– TB