Logano on the Pole: Ford Dominates Qualifying in New Hampshire (NASCAR)

Joey Logano Leads Ford Sweep in Qualifying at New Hampshire

Joey Logano led a sweep for Ford in qualifying at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, setting up for the second round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The three-time Cup champion celebrated his 33rd pole position and the second of the season, setting a time of 29.159 seconds (130.622 mph) on the 1.058-mile oval aboard the No. 22 Ford.

This is the first pole position for the native of Middletown, Connecticut, in New Hampshire, where he earned his first Cup victory in June 2009.

“Man, it’s my home track. It feels really good to run well here. Hopefully we can capitalize,” said Logano, who also won in New Hampshire in 2014.

Joey Logano

Ryan Blaney, Logano’s teammate, qualified second in the No. 12 Ford, securing the front row for Team Penske for the second time this season. It’s Penske’s 11th pole position at New Hampshire.

“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,” commented Blaney, who matched his best starting position in New Hampshire.

Ryan Blaney

Josh Berry, whose No. 21 Ford of Wood Brothers Racing has a competitive alliance with Penske, qualified third, achieving a recovery after 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 taking four of the top five starting spots. 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 19th. The finishing positions for the remaining playoff drivers were: Ross Chastain in eighth place, Bubba Wallace 14th, Kyle Larson 16th, Chase Briscoe 18th, Austin Cindric 22nd, and Chase Elliott 27th.