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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW 'Watchdog' helps recover rare kingsnake from Medford pet store ... Scrambling for eggs ... Our View: Commons construction schedule raises questions ... 'Watchdog' helps recover rare kingsnake from Medford pet store ... Scrambling for eggs ... Our View: Commons construction schedule raises questions ... AUTO RACING Harvick wins Dover pole; Hamlin boosts chances Comment By The Charlotte Observer MailTribune.com By The Charlotte Observer Posted Sep. 27, 2014 at 2:00 AM By The Charlotte Observer Posted Sep. 27, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Social News DOVER, Del. — Kevin Harvick won the pole for Sunday’s AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway but Denny Hamlin may have gained the most from Friday’s qualifying session. Hamlin, in serious danger of being one of the four drivers eliminated from the Chase after Sunday’s race, took a big step in the right direction by qualifying third-fastest. “At one point we’re all going to face elimination sometime in our life and it’s how we respond to that adversity that will define us,” he said. If Friday’s knockout qualifying session was a test, Hamlin and his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team clearly earned an ‘A.’ The bottom four drivers in points in the 16-driver Chase field will be eliminated from title contention following Sunday’s race. Hamlin, 13th in the series standings, trails 12th-place Kasey Kahne by six points. “I really feel like we turned the corner with our race team over the last month-and-a-half to two months. We’re running really good,” said Hamlin, who finished fifth in the sprint race at Dover. “To say we have the speed of (Harvick) and (Brad Keselowski) and (Joey Logano) right now, I wouldn’t put us right there. I would put us right behind them. “I feel we’ve gained a lot the last couple months and I firmly believe if we can make this cut, we can make some noise from here on out.” Hamlin began the Chase with a sixth-place finish at Chicagoland but a fuel-intake problem last weekend at New Hampshire left him with a 37th-place finish. Starting up front at Dover is a welcome rebound for Hamlin and his team. “This will give us a good advantage on Sunday and hopefully we can get a strong run this weekend,” he said. For Harvick, the pole was the continuation of a stellar qualifying performance this season. The pole is Harvick’s seventh of the season — one more than he earned in his entire career prior to 2014. “I have never really qualified that well really anywhere, but here, I guess that is going to be a good deal to have the first pit stall,” Harvick said. “Here, especially under yellow, you just don’t have to go very far when you are leaving the pit box. “The good pit stalls are typically on that end of pit road, and if you wind up having to get out of your pits, and guys are still coming in as you are in the front of the pack, it is hard to get out of your stall.” Harvick is without a win in the first round of the Chase but third in the series standings. By The Charlotte Observer MailTribune.com By The Charlotte Observer Posted Sep. 27, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501