Dale Earnhardt Jr. Breaks Kentucky Speedway Record - Takes Pole

Credit: Sports Illustrated

Everything seemed right for the possibility of drivers breaking the Kentucky Speedway's record, as
weather conditions and the new Get 6 car raised anticipation of the event, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't disappoint, as he clocked in at 183.636 mph, also taking the pole position.

While Earnhardt now holds the Kentucky Speedway record, seven others in the NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying even also broke the record, including Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson.

Johnson clocked in at 183.144 mph, also breaking the record of 181.818 he set in June 2012. He's the series point leader heading into Saturday's race.

For Earnhardt this is his 12th overall pole and first one in Kentucky.