Matt Kenseth won the pole for Sunday's Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway with a speed of 197.488 miles per hour.

What happened?

Kenseth's lap eclipsed teammate Denny Hamlin's speed of 196.990 mph, securing the top spot for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Carl Edwards qualified third in another JGR Toyota, followed by Austin Dillon and Tony Stewart.

Why it matters for Matt Kenseth

The pole was Kenseth's third of the year and 16th in 567 career starts, making him a strong contender for the race.

Kenseth said the lap posted by Hamlin was a challenge, but he was determined to make it wide open.

What comes next?

The Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race is scheduled for Sunday, and Kenseth is looking to build on his recent success.

Kenseth's win at Pocono two weeks ago has given him momentum, and he is hoping to carry that into the upcoming race.

The Joe Gibbs Racing team has been performing well, with five wins and one second-place finish in the last seven races.

Kenseth's speed of 197.488 miles per hour was the fastest of the day, and he is confident in his car's performance.

The new high-drag aerodynamic package used in the qualifying rounds has affected the speeds, with qualifying speeds down dramatically from the record 206.558 mph set by Jeff Gordon last year.

Kenseth's teammate, Denny Hamlin, was not upset about narrowly missing the pole, saying it's an arms race to have a fast car and a big engine.

The Joe Gibbs Racing team has done a great job giving them fast cars, and Hamlin is looking forward to the race.

Carl Edwards, who was fastest in the day's lone practice, was philosophical about qualifying third, saying being upset about third is nice.

The race is expected to be competitive, with several top drivers vying for the top spot.

Kenseth's experience and recent success make him a strong contender, and he is looking to build on his momentum.

The Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be an exciting event, with Kenseth and the Joe Gibbs Racing team looking to come out on top.