Unstoppable Hamlin: Pole Position at Gateway and Leads NASCAR Playoffs

Denny Hamlin Dominates Qualifying at World Wide Technology Raceway

MADISON, Ill. – Denny Hamlin has proven to be unbeatable in NASCAR Cup Series qualifying during the playoffs, securing the pole position this Saturday at the World Wide Technology Raceway. This is the 46th pole of his career and the third of the season for the Joe Gibbs Racing star, who also led the standings in last week’s playoff race at Darlington Raceway.

“We made excellent adjustments from where we were in practice,” Hamlin said, who achieved a lap at 139.190 mph with his No. 11 Toyota. “That’s what they did so well last week for qualifying. Now we have a great track position and we just have to keep it, and we’ll be in good shape.”
Denny Hamlin

Kyle Larson secured the second spot on the grid, alongside Hamlin, achieving his first top-ten result in qualifying at the 1.25-mile oval east of St. Louis.

Chase Briscoe finished third.
Ross Chastain in fourth place.
Ryan Blaney in fifth.
William Byron in sixth.
Tyler Reddick in seventh.
Christopher Bell in eighth.
Austin Cindric in ninth.

These playoff drivers took the top nine starting positions for Sunday’s 300-mile race at Gateway. This contrasts with the start of the playoffs at Darlington, where only four championship-eligible drivers finished in the top ten in the Southern 500, a historic low for an initial playoff race. Larson, who had a disappointing result at Darlington, where he finished in 19th place, extending his streak to five races without a top five.

“I think our team needs it more than anything,” said the 2021 Cup champion. “We haven’t been able to celebrate much, so we’ll definitely celebrate a front-row spot at Gateway. It’s been a tough and inconsistent couple of months, so even qualifying well feels really good.”
Kyle Larson

Alex Bowman, who has not managed to surpass 13th place at Gateway, qualified in 25th place, being the only playoff driver to start outside the top 20. Bowman is tied with Josh Berry (who qualified 12th) in the last position of the standings among the 16 playoff drivers.