Joey Logano led a sweep for Ford in qualifying at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, marking the start of the second round of playoffs in the NASCAR Cup Series. The three-time Cup Series champion enthusiastically celebrated his 33rd position on the pole position of 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 earned his first Cup victory in June 2009.
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 eleventh pole position at New Hampshire.“Man, it’s my home track. It feels really good to run well here. Hopefully we can capitalize,” Logano commented.
Joey Logano
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 the playoff drivers occupying four of the top five positions. After sweeping the first round with three consecutive victories, Joe Gibbs Racing struggled on Saturday at a track where it has won three times in a row. Denny Hamlin was the team’s top qualifier 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 starting positions for the rest of the 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 saw the time. What a great lap by Joey and his team. It’s great to have a Penske front row,” Blaney said.
Ryan Blaney
