NASCAR Kenseth on pole, Stewart sets record at Texas

Matt Kenseth survived a gaggle of late challenges to secure pole position for Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway.

Tony Stewart stole the show earlier in the session as he became the first driver to post a qualifying lap over 200mph on a 1.5-mile track when he completed a 200.111 mph run, although he was unable to match the speed in the final run-off to pole. That left the door open for Kenseth, who established himself at the top with a 199.299 mph effort that several drivers came within a breath of matching, although all fell short.

Jeff Gordon was closest of all, the Hendrick driver's 199.291 mph run setting him up for a front row start, with Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch to slot in just behind them.

Stewart was left to settle for the outside of the third row alongside Kevin Harvick, who will be seeking to lift himself out of last place among the eight remaining Chase contenders.

Harvick's cause received an early lift when Brad Keselowski struggled for pace and found himself stranded down in 26th, the Penske driver alone among the Chase drivers in being a casualty of the first qualifying round.

Of the other championship protagonists, Ryan Newman will line up seventh, Joey Logano 10th, Carl Edwards 11th and Denny Hamlin 20th.