Kevin Harvick best-placed of title contenders

The Stewart-Haas Racing man is well placed at the Homestead-Miami Speedway for Sunday's race, ahead of fellow title aspirants Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin (eighth),Team Penske's Joey Logano (ninth) and Richard Childress Racing's Ryan Newman (21st).

The highest-placed finisher of the quartet will win the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon, who dropped out of championship contention in the recent Eliminator Round, claimed pole for the season finale.

Harvick was pleased to be the highest-placed driver, with all four hunting a maiden championship.

"This is going to be a race that you are going to go through some changing conditions," Harvick said.

"Today was really about trying to get a solid starting spot, and we were able to do that with my Budweiser team.

"Just really proud of my guys. We had a really good day today. Just got to keep doing what we have to do and see where it all falls on Sunday."

Despite being well back on the grid, Newman was not bothered by his poor performance on Friday - claiming he savours being the underdog.

"A buddy of mine once said it isn't where you start, it is where you stop," Newman said.

"We have got half of them beat to start ... We just struggled there a little bit. My first run was pretty good [but] the second run wasn't what we needed it to be.

"We missed it just a little bit on the balance.
"Then after than the tyres fall off so much that your next run is just a hope and a prayer. It's not where we want to be, but we do better fighting back."

Sunday's race takes the drivers 400 miles, or 267 circuits, of the Homestead track.