Patrick, who is still looking for her first win in Nascar, earned the top spot after recording the fastest lap time during qualifying last weekend.

WSJ: Daytona 500: 500 Miles Later, the Pole Is Irrelevant��Danica Patrick

"We were really comfortable and competitive on this track, but when I had my last chance to do a quick lap time I found some slower riders on track and they wanted to follow me, " said Lorenzo.

BBC: Lorenzo takes pole for US MotoGP

It is a major change from the last three seasons, when drivers had just one lap to set their time but they ran alone on the track.

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