Last chance for drivers to make Chase

Brad Keselowski won the pole Friday for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race tonight at Richmond (Virginia) International Raceway with a lap at 126.618 mph. The Penske Racing driver finished second in the first round of qualifying, and easily outran the field during the second stage for his fourth pole of the season. Jeff Gordon was second at 126.039 mph, followed by Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson at 125.898. Clint Bowyer, one of 17 drivers with a chance to win his way into the Chase for the championship, will start sixth. The 16-driver field for the Chase for the championship will be finalized after the race. “It’d be nice to put up another win and be kind of the lead dog, so to speak,” said Keselowski, tied for the series victory lead at three with Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Joey Logano. – Associated Press