NASCAR Chicagoland 2011 Starting Lineup: Matt Kenseth Leads Qualifying For Chase Opener

Matt Kenseth isn't known for his qualifying efforts – which might tell you something about just how fast the Roush Fenway Racing driver is this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.

Kenseth took the pole for Sunday's NASCAR Chase opener – his second No. 1 starting spot of the season, but just the sixth of his 12-year career.

"We had a pretty good lap there," Kenseth said. "For me to qualify this good, you know my car is fast."

The Wisconsin native said his team's qualifying setup allowed him to get through Chicagoland's bumps on the entry into Turn 3, but his race setup isn't quite as good and still needs work.

Kenseth's lap of 183.243 mph was ahead of Paul Menard (183.125 mph) and Chase drivers Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and Carl Edwards.

"This is one checkmark out of 30," Busch said. "We have 10 practice sessions, 10 qualifying sessions and 10 race sessions. But that's not anywhere near as important as what we get done tomorrow. That's just one big checkmark."

Other Chase drivers: Kyle Busch will start ninth, Jimmie Johnson 12th, Dale Earnhardt Jr. 19th, Jeff Gordon 23rd, Tony Stewart 26th, Denny Hamlin 27th and Kevin Harvick 30th.

Here's the NASCAR starting lineup for Sunday's Chicagoland race (Chase drivers in bold):