Michael McDowell captures pole for Quaker State 400

(Photo credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images)
Michael McDowell reaffirmed his mastery of qualifying on drafting tracks, winning the pole for the Quaker State 400 on Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the first race in the Cup playoffs.

McDowell posted one of only two sub-31-second laps in the final round (30.926 seconds), touring the 1.54-mile speedway at 179.267 mph. He edged defending series champion Ryan Blaney (178.844 mp