The new matrix that NASCAR uses to set the lineup for their races now awarded a front row for Sunday’s Go Bowling 235 (3 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN) of Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin. The new format weighs a drivers’ finish from the previous race, which would be Race 2 at the Michigan International Speedway last Sunday, plus the fastest lap and points position.

That’s why the 1-2 finishers last Sunday afternoon will start 1-2.

For Harvick, he says be wary of following him on the opening lap. See, no one has the luxury of a test or practice session before Sunday’s race. This is the first time these drivers would have raced on this track before and they’re doing so with no on track time prior.

“It will be interesting,” Harvick noted. “I’m good with whatever.  I think me leading everybody into turn one at Daytona could be interesting because I have no freaking clue where I’m going as we go down there.  Most everybody in the field is the same way.

“We’ll prepare the best that we can and hope that we can make it around the first lap with all the wheels still headed in the right direction.”

Row 2 will be Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch. Joey Logano starts fifth. It’s the exact same order as the top five from Sunday.

This new format replaces the one to where NASCAR drew for spots. In the past format that was used just as soon as last Saturday, the top 12 of the owners points drew for the top 12 starting spot. Then, 13-24 and 25-36 would do the same.

“Yeah, I’m a little bit torn on that,” Harvick said of this new way. “That wasn’t my vote.  I voted for 1 through 36 random draw every week for charter teams.  I think it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

“Obviously I think that there’s definitely some merit to it as far as earning your position in the things that you do.  I think in the position that we’re in, there’s also some merit in keeping it mixed up, keeping it fair, having some new players at the front, giving them an opportunity.

“At some point during the year, some of those guys are going to qualify good and have a chance to have a good weekend.  If you’re back in the mid part of the pack, you don’t have an opportunity to qualify, sometimes those are taken away.”

Starting Lineup