Logano Dominates NASCAR Qualifying: Ford at the Front in New Hampshire

Joey Logano led a sweep for Ford in qualifying at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, securing the first position 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 completing a lap in 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 where he earned his first Cup Series victory in June 2009.

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

Joey Logano

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

“I feel good for Sunday,” commented 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 saw the time. What a great lap by Joey and his team. It’s great to have Penske on the front row.”

Ryan Blaney

Josh Berry, whose No. 21 Ford of Wood Brothers Racing has a competitive alliance with Penske, qualified third, recovering from being eliminated after 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 wins, Joe Gibbs Racing struggled on Saturday at a track where it has won three times in a row. Denny Hamlin was the best-placed driver for the team in ninth place, and Christopher Bell, the favorite before the race, who has won two of the last three Cup races in New Hampshire, qualified in 19th place. The finishing positions for the rest of the playoff drivers were: 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.