Joey Logano Leads Ford Sweep in NASCAR Qualifying at New Hampshire
Joey Logano led a strong performance for Ford in the qualifying session at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, securing the first position for the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs race. 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) aboard the No. 22 Ford on the 1.058-mile oval.This is Logano’s first pole position at New Hampshire, a circuit that witnessed his first Cup victory in June 2009. “It’s my home track,” commented Logano, who also won at New Hampshire in 2014. “It feels really good to run well here. Hopefully we can capitalize on this.”
Ryan Blaney, Logano’s teammate, qualified in second place with the No. 12 Ford, giving Team Penske the front row in qualifying for the second time this season. It’s Penske’s eleventh pole at New Hampshire.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 finished in fourth place, and William Byron in fifth, thus consolidating the presence of playoff drivers in 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 in 19th place. The finishing positions for the remaining playoff drivers are as follows: Ross Chastain in eighth place, Bubba Wallace in 14th, Kyle Larson in 16th, Chase Briscoe in 18th, Austin Cindric in 22nd, and Chase Elliott in 27th.I feel good for Sunday. I thought I was close to getting the pole until I saw the time. What a great lap by Joey and his team. It’s great to have a Penske front row.
Ryan Blaney
