At Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, Denny Hamlin claimed his 44th career Cup pole on Saturday, solidifying his status as the oldest driver to achieve this feat at Pocono since 2017. The 44-year-old recorded a lap speed of 172.599 mph around the challenging 2.5-mile course, surpassing all other qualifiers. Hamlin’s achievement marks the first pole for an older driver since Matt Kenseth, who was 45 when he secured the pole at Richmond in September 2017. This weekend marks Hamlin’s return to the track following his absence last week as he stayed home for the birth of his son.
Starting Grid Shaped by Qualifying and Setbacks
Chris Buescher earned the second starting position with a lap of 172.325 mph, tying his best grid spot of the season. Following him, Carson Hocevar secured third place with a 171.825 mph lap, closely trailed by John Hunter Nemechek at 171.789 mph and Cole Custer rounding out the top five with 171.639 mph. While several drivers posted strong times, others faced significant challenges.
William Byron, despite having set the fastest practice lap, crashed during qualifying. Byron lost control in the Tunnel Turn, hitting the outside wall and then colliding with the inside SAFER barrier, which forced him to the back of the field. Similarly, Bubba Wallace struggled as his car failed to start during his qualifying window and did not complete a lap. Hamlin, who co-owns Wallace’s No. 23 car, explained that a starter issue prevented Wallace from making a qualifying attempt.
Joining Byron and Wallace at the rear will be Josh Berry, whose team had to replace the diffuser after practice and skipped qualifying. Brennan Poole will also start from the back after his car failed inspection three times; he was barred from qualifying and must serve a pass-through penalty on pit road once the race begins.
Implications for the Race and Driver Outlook
Hamlin’s pole at Pocono Raceway not only highlights his enduring speed and skill but also sets a competitive tone for the Cup race ahead. The struggles of key contenders like Byron and Wallace add an element of unpredictability to the event, as these drivers must navigate traffic from the back of the pack. The technical issues and penalties faced by several competitors could influence race strategies and outcomes. With Hamlin back after a personal milestone and strong qualifying performance, his role as a veteran driver to watch this weekend is firmly reinforced.
