Joey Logano led a Ford sweep in qualifying for the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. 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) at the wheel of the No. 22 Ford on the 1.058-mile oval.
This is Logano’s first pole at New Hampshire, the scene of his first Cup victory in June 2009.
Ryan Blaney, teammate, will start second with the No. 12 Ford, as Team Penske secured the front row in qualifying for the second time this season. It’s Penske’s 11th pole at New Hampshire.“Man, it’s my home track. It feels really good to run well here. Hopefully we can capitalize,” Logano stated.
Joey Logano
“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 his group. It’s great to have a Penske front row,” said Blaney, who matched his best starting position in New Hampshire with a lap that was 0.170 seconds behind Logano.
Ryan BlaneyJosh Berry, whose No. 21 Ford of Wood Brothers Racing has a competitive alliance with Penske, qualified third, recovering from elimination after three consecutive last-place finishes in the first round of the playoffs. Tyler Reddick qualified fourth and William Byron fifth, with the playoff drivers taking four of the top five grid spots. 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 at New Hampshire, qualified 19th. The finishing positions for the rest of the playoff drivers were: Ross Chastain in eighth place, Bubba Wallace 14th, Kyle Larson 16th, Chase Briscoe 18th, Austin Cindric 22nd, and Chase Elliott 27th.
