FONTANA, Calif. — Matt Kenseth is fast again.

Kenseth, who started the season struggling to get a grasp on NASCAR’s new knockout qualifying format, mastered it on Friday, winning the pole for Sunday’s Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway.

Kenseth was second-fastest in Round 2 and was fastest in the final round with an average lap speed of 187.315 mph. Brad Keselowski qualified second — the only driver to qualify on the front row in each knockout sessions held this season.

“We had some really good speed and that translated to qualifying trim. The team gave me a great car,” Kenseth said. “This is probably one of the best tracks we go to as far as having different lanes, it’s very wide and very challenging. Even qualifying was different with how drastically different all of our runs were.”

The pole is Kenseth’s first of the season and 12th of his Sprint Cup Series career. Kenseth won three poles last season, which tied his career high. Jimmie Johnson qualified third, Kevin Harvick fourth and Clint Bowyer was fifth.

“This knockout format has been really good for my team,” said Keselowski, who has qualified first, second, second and second in the four knockout sessions that have been held.

“Each week is different as far as what it takes to get through all the rounds. Each weekend has its own challenges. The teams that can dial it in the best will be up front.”