Logano Dominates Qualifying at NHMS: Ford Leads in NASCAR Playoffs

Joey Logano Dominates 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 champion enthusiastically celebrated his 33rd pole position in his career 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 the first pole position for the native of Middletown, Connecticut, in New Hampshire, the place where he got his first Cup 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.”

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 off Logano. “I thought I was close to getting the pole until I saw the time. What a great lap by Joey and that group. It’s really cool to have a Penske front row.”

Ryan Blaney

Josh Berry, whose No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford has a competitive alliance with Penske, qualified third, recovering from 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 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 consecutive races. 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.