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, marking the start 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 this season, after completing a lap of 29.159 seconds (130.622 mph) in the No. 22 Ford on the 1.058-mile oval.This is Logano’s first pole position at New Hampshire, the place where he earned his first Cup victory in June 2009.
Ryan Blaney, Logano’s teammate, will start in second place with the No. 12 Ford, securing Team Penske the front row in qualifying for the second time this season. It’s Penske’s 11th pole position at New Hampshire.“Man, it’s my home track. It feels really good to run well here. Hopefully we can capitalize,” Logano said.
Joey Logano
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 victories, Joe Gibbs Racing struggled on Saturday at a track where they have 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 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 great to have a Penske front row,” Blaney commented.
Ryan Blaney
