NASCAR starting lineup at Kansas: Ryan Blaney on pole as contenders miss qualifying

Ryan Blaney won his first career pole Friday at Kansas Speedway, but the bigger story from the session involved 12 drivers who did not even turn a qualifying lap.

Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne and Erik Jones were among those who will start at the rear of the field in Saturday night's Go Bowling 400 (7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1) after their cars failed to pass tech prior to the end of the first round of qualifying at the 1.5-mile track.

It's not the first time this season inspection issues caused drivers to miss qualifying. At Texas Motor Speedway in April, a logjam to get through tech prevented nine drivers from recording a qualifying lap.

Seeking his fourth win in six races at Kansas, Johnson will start 29th after inspection issues. Johnson led all drivers with the best 10-lap average in Friday’s final practice and said he's looking forward to passing cars Saturday as he hopes to record his 83rd career win, which would tie Cale Yarborough for sixth on Cup Series all-time wins list.

Defending spring champion at Kansas Speedway, Kyle Busch will start fifth and he looks to give Joe Gibbs Racing its first win of the season. Busch was fastest in Friday's final practice and has logged a top-five finish in his last four starts at the 1.5-mile Kansas City track.

Joey Logano will join Blaney on the front row while Martin Truex Jr., who owned the fastest speed in Friday's opening practice, will start third.

Kyle Larson was forced to a backup car after hitting the wall early in Friday's final practice. He still managed to qualify ninth as he looks to record his fourth consecutive top-two finish at 1.5-mile tracks this season.

Here is the starting lineup for Saturday night's Go Bowling 400 (267 laps):