The Sprint Cup Series is running its final night race this season tonight at Charlotte Motor Speedway and three young drivers are looking forward to their first start on NASCAR's top circuit.

In qualifying held on Thursday for tonight's Bank of America 500, the fastest of the three debuting drivers was Brian Scott who qualified his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet No. 33 in 19th. The driver who will be succeeding Juan Pablo Montoya in the Target Chevrolet No. 42 starting next year, Kyle Larson, qualified 21st driving the Target sponsored No. 51 Chevrolet for Phoenix Racing. Finally, Blake Koch will be starting 43rd in the Leavine Family Racing No. 95 Ford.

Jeff Gordon was the driver who was last to qualify on Thursday and he turned out to be the fastest. Gordon will start on the front row with last week's winner Kevin Harvick. As a result of the finishes posted last week at Kansas Speedway, both Gordon and Harvick have gained significantly in the drivers' point standings to become legitimate contenders to win the title this year.

Nine of the 13 drivers who are eligible for the championship are starting in the top ten at Charlotte.  In addition to Gordon and Harvick, they include: Greg Biffle (3rd), Jimmie Johnson (4th), Kasey Kahne (5th), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (6th), Ryan Newman (7th), Kyle Busch (9th) and Kurt Busch (10th). Points leader Matt Kenseth will start 20th.

Here is the complete starting lineup.

 

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