For the first time in nine years, JJ Yeley will start first in a NASCAR Xfinity Series race.
Yeley, 38, will lead the field to green in tonight’s Kentucky 300 at Kentucky Speedway. Yeley inherited the top spot as a result of his top lap in the Xfinity Series’ lone practice session on Thursday. With Friday’s qualifying session rained out, the field was set by practice speeds.
Yeley, driving for Toyota’s JGL Racing, will start first in NXS competition for the first time since 2006. The Phoenix, Arizona native will be joined by Ty Dillon on the front row. Brendan Gaughan, who won the most recent NXS race at Kentucky in the fall of 2014, will start alongside Brad Keselowski in row 2.
Paul Menard and Kyle Busch will make up row 3, with Erik Jones, Darrell Wallace Jr., Brian Scott and Daniel Suarez making up rows 4 and 5 to complete the top 10.
Points leader Chris Buescher will start in 15th alongside Dale Earnhardt Jr. in row 8.
Coverage for the Kentucky 300 will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
2015 KENTUCKY 300 STARTING LINEUP
Aaron Bearden is a Frontstretch alumnus who’s come back home as the site’s Short Track Editor. When he isn’t working with our grassroots writers, he can be found talking about racing on his Morning Warmup newsletter, pestering his wife/dog or convincing himself the Indiana Pacers can win an NBA title.