Logano Dominates in NH: Ford Dominates NASCAR Qualifying, Playoffs Underway

Joey Logano Leads Ford Sweep in New Hampshire Qualifying

Joey Logano took the pole position in qualifying at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, leading a sweep of the top three spots for Ford in the opening of the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The three-time Cup Series champion enthusiastically celebrated his 33rd career pole position and the second of the season, after completing a lap of 29.159 seconds (130.622 mph) on the 1.058-mile oval aboard the No. 22 Ford.

This is the first pole position for the driver from Middletown, Connecticut, in New Hampshire, the scene of his first Cup victory in June 2009.

“Man, it’s my home track,” Logano said, who also won in New Hampshire in 2014. “It feels really good to run well here. Hopefully we can capitalize on it.”

Joey Logano

Ryan Blaney, teammate, will start second in the No. 12 Ford, securing Team Penske’s front row in qualifying for the second time this season. It’s Penske’s 11th pole position at New Hampshire.

“I feel good for Sunday,” said Blaney, who matched his best starting position in New Hampshire with a lap that was 0.170 seconds behind Logano. “I thought I was close to getting the pole until I looked at the time. What a great lap by Joey and his team. It’s really cool to have a Penske front row.”

Ryan Blaney

Josh Berry, whose No. 21 Ford of Wood Brothers Racing has a competitive alliance with Penske, qualified third, achieving a recovery after being eliminated with three consecutive last-place finishes in the first round of the playoffs. Tyler Reddick qualified fourth, and William Byron was fifth, with playoff drivers occupying four of the top five positions. After sweeping the first round with three consecutive victories, Joe Gibbs Racing struggled on Saturday at a track where it has won three times in a row. Denny Hamlin was the team’s top qualifier in ninth place, and Christopher Bell, a pre-race favorite who has won two of the last three Cup races in New Hampshire, qualified 19th. The finishing positions for the rest of the playoff drivers were: Ross Chastain in eighth place, Bubba Wallace 14th, Kyle Larson 16th, Chase Briscoe 18th, Austin Cindric 22nd, and Chase Elliott 27th.