Logano on the pole: Ford dominates qualifying in New Hampshire

Joey Logano Leads the Standings in New Hampshire

Joey Logano, with an outstanding performance, led a sweep of the top three positions for Ford in the qualifying for the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, preparing for 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) aboard 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 on this.”

Joey Logano

Ryan Blaney, teammate, secured second place in the No. 12 Ford, solidifying a front row for Team Penske, the eleventh pole in New Hampshire for the team.

“I feel good for Sunday,” commented Blaney, who matched his best starting position in New Hampshire with a lap that was 0.170 seconds behind Logano. “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.”

Ryan Blaney

Josh Berry, with the No. 21 Ford of Wood Brothers Racing, which has a competitive alliance with Penske, qualified third, recovering from three consecutive last-place finishes in the first round of the playoffs. Tyler Reddick finished in fourth place and William Byron in fifth, with playoff drivers occupying four of the top five starting positions on the grid. 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, while Christopher Bell, pre-race favorite and winner of 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, Bubba Wallace in 14th, Kyle Larson in 16th, Chase Briscoe in 18th, Austin Cindric in 22nd, and Chase Elliott in 27th.