Joey Logano Tops the Standings in New Hampshire, Ford Dominance
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 same place where he earned his first Cup victory in June 2009.Ryan Blaney, Logano’s teammate, will start second in the No. 12 Ford, thus 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, with the No. 21 Ford of Wood Brothers Racing (allied with Penske), qualified third, recovering from elimination in the first round of the playoffs after three consecutive last places. Tyler Reddick qualified fourth, while William Byron took fifth place, thus showing playoff drivers occupying four of the top five positions. After dominating the first round with three consecutive victories, Joe Gibbs Racing struggled on Saturday at a track where they had won three consecutive races. Denny Hamlin was the team’s top qualifier in ninth place, and Christopher Bell, pre-race favorite and winner of two of the last three Cup races in New Hampshire, qualified in 19th place. The finishing positions for the remaining 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.“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,” Blaney commented.
Ryan Blaney
