Armirola Wins Daytona NASCAR Busch Series Pole

Jason Leffler gave Toyota a front row start in the manufacturer's first Busch Series race.

Jason Leffler gave Toyota a front row start in the manufacturer's first Busch Series race. Photo: NASCAR.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Aric Armirola started the season off on a positive note Friday winning the pole for Saturday's Orbitz 300 Busch Series season opener.

Almirola turned in a lap of 183.741 mph in his Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet to claim the Bud Pole.

It was his second career Busch Series pole, after winning the top spot at Milwaukee last season, when he qualified the car for Denny Hamlin but did not race.

"I checked with (team owner) J.D. (Gibbs) to make sure I'm driving the car this time," said Almirola.

"This is a thrill, I probably won't sleep much tonight but I'm excited about tomorrow and feel like we have a great shot at getting our first win."

Jason Leffler gave Toyota a front row start in the manufacturer's first Busch Series race.

"Braun Racing is a solid team, so I'm not that surprised we qualified so well," said Leffler. "I'm pleased for the team and for Toyota and hope we can make some history and give them their first win tomorrow."

Jon Wood, Martin Truuex, Jr. and John Andretti rounded out the top five.

Carl Edwards, Stephen Leicht, Mark Martin, Greg Biffle and Kyle Busch completed the first ten qualifiers.

Juan Pablo Montoya will start from the 16th position with Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 20th and defending Busch Series champion Kevin Harvick 31st.

Six drivers failed to make Saturday's field: Casey Mears, David Stremme, Justin Diercks, J.J. Yeley, Brad Keselowksi and Brad Teague.

Saturday's Orbitz 300 will take the green flag at 1:15 PM (ET).

The race can be seen live on ESPN2.

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