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With Almirola’s win in the first 25-lap heat race, he will start on the pole for the 150-lap, 2-stage main event on the ¼-mile asphalt oval inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Michael McDowell gained entry in the main event by winning the first Last Chance Qualifier race, while Chase Elliott won the second.
Austin Cindric gained entry in the 27-car field by claiming the lone provisional.
Heat 1
Almirola led the first lap but Justin Haley returned to the front on Lap 2. Harrison Burton got spun by Noah Gragson on Lap 2 to place the lap under caution. The race returned to green on Lap 2.
On Lap 20, Almirola got to the inside of Haley off Turn 2 and claimed the lead with Bowman moving to second.
Joining Almirola in the main event are Bowman, Haley, Gragson and Joey Logano, who won the event last year.
Heat 2
Busch grabbed the early lead as Kyle Larson moved into the second spot on the first lap.
On Lap 14, Truex got around Larson to take over the second position as Busch remained out front. On Lap 18, Truex went to the inside of Busch to claim the lead.
Busch fought back to reclaim the lead on Lap 20 with Truex also taking it back on Lap 20.
After a hit from Kevin Harvick, Austin Cindric spun in Turn 4 on Lap 21 to bring out a caution. The race returned to green on Lap 21 and Truex held on for the win.
Joining Truex in t …