Joey Logano Leads Ford Sweep in NASCAR Qualifying at New Hampshire
Joey Logano led a sweep of the top three spots for Ford in qualifying at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, setting up for 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 recording a lap of 29.159 seconds (130.622 mph) in the No. 22 Ford on the 1.058-mile oval.This is the first pole position for the native of Middletown, Connecticut, in New Hampshire, the place where he earned his first Cup victory in June 2009.
Ryan Blaney, teammate, will start second in the No. 12 Ford, meaning Team Penske secured the front row in qualifying for the second time this season. It’s Penske’s 11th pole at New Hampshire.“Man, it’s my home track. It feels really good to run well here. Hopefully we can capitalize,” said Logano, who also won in New Hampshire in 2014.
Joey Logano
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 the playoff drivers occupying four of the top five starting 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 pre-race favorite Christopher Bell, who has won two of the last three Cup races in New Hampshire, qualified 19th. The finishing positions for the remaining playoff drivers are: Ross Chastain in eighth place, Bubba Wallace 14th, Kyle Larson 16th, Chase Briscoe 18th, Austin Cindric 22nd, and Chase Elliott 27th.“I feel good for Sunday. I thought I was close to getting the pole until I looked at the time. What a great lap by Joey and that group. Really cool to have a Penske front row,” commented Blaney, who matched his best starting position at New Hampshire with a lap that was 0.170 seconds off Logano.
Ryan Blaney
