Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing claimed the pole position for the 2025 Brickyard 400 after setting the fastest qualifying time Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The qualifying session took a dramatic turn when Briscoe’s teammate, Denny Hamlin, who was leading on his final lap, crashed heavily and was unable to complete his run, costing him the pole.
Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota was more than two-tenths of a second faster than Briscoe’s lap time of 49.136 seconds before he suffered a severe collision with two walls on the track. After the impact, his car stopped on the course, and he could not set a final time, forcing him to start 39th in Sunday’s race. This incident allowed Briscoe’s lap to remain the top qualifying mark by a narrow margin.
How Chase Briscoe Secured the Pole at Indianapolis
Briscoe’s performance in qualifying was strong, shaking off what could have been a teammate’s record-breaking lap to secure the leading time. His margin over second-place starter Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing was just 0.013 seconds, marking a very tight battle for the foremost position. Wallace’s close finish adds further intensity to the grid after an intense qualifying session.
Toyota displayed remarkable dominance throughout the session, sweeping the top five starting spots. Following Briscoe and Wallace, Erik Jones of Legacy Motor Club qualified third, Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing came in fourth, and Ty Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing grabbed fifth place. This strong showing reinforces Toyota’s competitive edge heading into the Brickyard 400.
Notable Qualifying Outcomes Beyond the Front Row
While Toyota occupied the front of the grid, some prominent drivers had disappointing results. Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, and Ross Chastain all fell outside the top 20, marking a challenging day for these contenders. Other notable qualifying results include William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports in sixth position and RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher securing seventh.
The mid-pack featured a mix of Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota drivers rounding out the top 10, including Carson Hocevar in eighth, AJ Allmendinger in ninth, and Austin Cindric in tenth. This diverse mix of manufacturers highlights the competition’s depth across teams and drivers.
Complete Starting Lineup From the 2025 Brickyard 400 Qualifying
The full order reflects the qualifying times and gaps from the front-runner Chase Briscoe:
1. Chase Briscoe (No. 19), Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota — 49.136 seconds
2. Bubba Wallace (No. 23), 23XI Racing Toyota — +0.013 seconds
3. Erik Jones (No. 43), Legacy Motor Club Toyota — +0.112 seconds
4. Tyler Reddick (No. 45), 23XI Racing Toyota — +0.131 seconds
5. Ty Gibbs (No. 54), Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota — +0.194 seconds
6. William Byron (No. 24), Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet — +0.306 seconds
7. Chris Buescher (No. 17), RFK Racing Ford — +0.311 seconds
8. Carson Hocevar (No. 77), Spire Motorsports Chevrolet — +0.359 seconds
9. AJ Allmendinger (No. 16), Kaulig Racing Chevrolet — +0.363 seconds
10. Austin Cindric (No. 2), Team Penske Ford — +0.450 seconds
Other notable positions include:
11. Shane van Gisbergen (No. 88), Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet — +0.455 seconds
12. Kyle Busch (No. 8), Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet — +0.459 seconds
13. Kyle Larson (No. 5), Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet — +0.481 seconds
14. Brad Keselowski (No. 6), RFK Racing Ford — +0.493 seconds
15. Joey Logano (No. 22), Team Penske Ford — +0.557 seconds
16. Christopher Bell (No. 20), Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota — +0.659 seconds
17. Josh Berry (No. 21), Wood Brothers Racing Ford — +0.694 seconds
18. Noah Gragson (No. 4), Front Row Motorsports Ford — +0.758 seconds
19. Todd Gilliland (No. 19), Front Row Motorsports Ford — +0.805 seconds
20. Austin Dillon (No. 3), Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet — +0.813 seconds
The rest of the field continues with Alex Bowman, Michael McDowell, Ryan Preece, Ryan Blaney, Riley Herbst, and others filling out the solid NASCAR roster for the race. Denny Hamlin remains at the back with no recorded time due to the crash.
Implications of Hamlin’s Crash and What to Expect at the Brickyard 400
Denny Hamlin’s crash was a critical moment in qualifying that shifted the entire starting order, denying one of Joe Gibbs Racing’s top drivers the pole position and forcing him to battle from near the back of the pack. This crash not only affected his own race strategy but also allowed Chase Briscoe to gain a crucial advantage to lead the field.
The qualifying results underscore Toyota’s strength at Indianapolis, as the manufacturer secured five of the top six starting spots, establishing an early statement of competitiveness. Meanwhile, several top contenders from other manufacturers will need to strategize carefully to climb through the field.
With the Brickyard 400 set for Sunday, fans and teams can anticipate an intense race where starting position will be vital, but recovery from setbacks can still shape the outcome. Hamlin’s crash and Briscoe’s pole position add a layer of drama heading into a highly competitive event at one of NASCAR’s most historic tracks.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. After starting his full-time Cup Series career with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2006, Hamlin has become legendary. He has achieved 51 Cup Series wins and won the Daytona 500 three times (in 2016, 2019, and 2020), earning millions during his career.
Q. How is Denny Hamlin so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin’s $65 million net worth comes from several sources. He has made over $100 million from NASCAR contracts and races. Major endorsements, like FedEx, Jordan Brand, and Toyota, bring in millions more. Additionally, he co-owns 23XI Racing, now worth over $100 million.
