One other week, one other pole for Bell at Bristol
Christopher Bell is ideal in poles via the primary spherical of the NASCAR Cup Collection playoffs after incomes the highest spot for the third consecutive week Friday evening at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s pole-winning lap was 126.997mph (15.109s) — his ninth profession pole and first at Bristol.
Denny Hamlin made it an all JGR entrance row by qualifying second, clocking in at 126.930mph.
“It doesn’t get a lot nearer to that,” Bell mentioned of beating his teammate. “What was it, a 0.109s to a 0.117s at Bristol? That’s loopy tight. Actually, actually happy with this staff. All of the mechanics, all of the engineers that work again at Joe Gibbs Racing and placing this No. 20 automotive collectively are simply doing a tremendous job, and we’ve been capable of present that via qualifying actually all 12 months lengthy.
“500 laps tomorrow is an especially very long time, and if I’ve realized something, I’ve realized that qualifying means nothing for the race. However we’ve received an ideal pit stall once more, nice beginning spot. Man, I’m excited. I really like this racetrack; it’s certainly one of my favorites.”
William Byron certified third at 126.345mph, Michael McDowell fourth at 126.220mph and Martin Truex Jr. fifth at 126.154mph.
Brad Keselowski certified sixth at 125.963mph, Chase Elliott seventh at 125.914mph, Ty Gibbs eighth at 125.914mph, Bubba Wallace ninth at 125.897mph and Corey LaJoie accomplished the highest 10 at 125.625mph.
All 4 Joe Gibbs Racing drivers certified inside the highest 10 and, with Wallace’s 23XI Camry in ninth, Toyota chalked up their finest remaining spherical of qualifying since Charlotte 2022 after they claimed 5 of the highest seven spots.
The remainder of the playoff drivers in qualifying had been Ryan Blaney eleventh, Tyler Reddick twelfth, Kyle Busch fifteenth, Chris Buescher twentieth, Kevin Harvick twenty first, Ross Chastain twenty third, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. twenty fifth, Joey Logano twenty eighth, and Kyle Larson thirty sixth.
Larson received unfastened throughout his qualifying lap and needed to chase his Chevrolet via the nook.
Buescher is the defending race winner at Bristol.
There are 36 drivers entered within the Bass Professional Outlets Night time Race. The race has been moved up by one hour to six:30 p.m. ET Saturday as a result of menace of inclement climate.
STARTING LINEUP
