Ryan Blaney earned his first career pole in the Nationwide Series by winning Saturday's qualifying for the 250-lap race at Iowa Speedway.
Blaney, who is driving the No. 22 Team Penske Ford in a limited schedule in Nationwide this season, made a lap around this 0.875-mile oval at 136.081 mph to grab the top starting position for Sunday's race. Blaney, the 20-year-old son of NASCAR veteran Dave Blaney, is a regular in the Camping World Truck Series. He finished 22nd in Friday night's truck race at Charlotte.
Blaney's maiden pole in Nationwide came in his 21st start. His first career truck victory came at Iowa in September 2012.
Sam Hornish Jr., making his second start in the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota this season, on the outside pole with a lap at 136.063 mph.
Michael McDowell took the third spot, followed by Regan Smith and rookie Dylan Kwasniewski.
Points leader and rookie driver Chase Elliott qualified sixth, Earlier in the day, Elliott graduated from Kings Ridge Christian School in Alpharetta, Georgia and then flew back to Iowa in time for qualifying.
[SportsNetwork.com]
