Denny Hamlin Dominates Qualifying at World Wide Technology Raceway
MADISON, Ill. – Denny Hamlin maintained his perfect streak in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs qualifying, securing the pole position on Saturday at the World Wide Technology Raceway. This is the 46th pole of his career and the third of the season for the star driver of Joe Gibbs Racing, who also led the standings in last week’s playoff race at Darlington Raceway.Kyle Larson secured the second spot on the grid, alongside Hamlin, achieving his best qualifying result at the 1.25-mile oval east of St. Louis. Chase Briscoe qualified third, followed by Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, and Austin Cindric, with the playoff drivers taking the top nine spots for Sunday’s 300-mile race at the circuit known as Gateway. Alex Bowman, who hasn’t finished higher than 13th at Gateway, qualified in 25th place, being the only playoff driver to start outside the top 20. Bowman is tied with Josh Berry (who qualified 12th) in last place in the points standings among the 16 playoff drivers.We made some great adjustments from where we were in practice. That’s what they did so well last week for qualifying. Now we have a great track position and we just have to maintain it, and we’ll be in good shape.
Denny Hamlin
