At EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, Joey Logano earned the coveted Busch Light Pole Award Friday by posting the fastest time in qualifying for Saturday night’s Quaker State 400. Logano’s lap of 30.979 seconds (178.960 mph) edged out competition in a dramatic tiebreaker, awarding him the first starting spot for the Cup Series race.
Logano’s pole marks his third at EchoPark and his 32nd career, highlighting strong performance by Team Penske and Ford. After tying with Josh Berry of Wood Brothers Racing in lap time, Logano clinched the top spot based on owner points, giving him the advantage as the starting leader for the race.
Ford Teams Dominate Top Starting Positions Amidst Tight Competition
The qualifying session was a showcase for Ford vehicles, with the top eight spots swept by Ford drivers. Ryan Blaney followed closely with the third-quickest time at 178.937 mph, while Austin Cindric took fourth. This performance locked out the first two rows for Team Penske and its affiliate Wood Brothers Racing, setting a strong tone for Sunday’s opening round of the 32-driver In-Season Challenge.
Other Ford drivers completing the sweep in the top eight were Ryan Preece, Brad Keselowski, Cole Custer, and Zane Smith. Chevrolet’s fastest qualifier, Alex Bowman, starts ninth and will face Logano in the opening round of eliminations. Toyota’s quickest starter was Chase Briscoe, who qualified 10th after winning at Pocono Raceway.
Race Challenges Ahead with Tactical Positioning and Weather Interruptions
Logano emphasized the importance of maintaining control early in the race, reflecting on challenges ahead.
“Being up front and controlling this race is the name of the game,”
Logano said. He acknowledged the uncertainties caused by frequent cautions that could shuffle the field.
“It’s hard to say you’re going to be leading every lap… The good thing is that we controlled what we could today. I’m super proud of Team Penske, Roush Yates (Engines), Ford, obviously to keep our Mustangs up there. It really shows the ability to repeat from car to car, which is really hard to do.”
On the narrow margin that decided pole winner, Logano stated,
“We tied with the 21 (Berry) and the other cars were within a couple hundredths of a second.”
Qualifying faced a 30-minute delay due to lightning, although the track avoided any rain despite nearby storms. This interruption added to the challenge of maintaining peak performance in shifting weather conditions.
Positioning and Prospects in the In-Season Challenge Tournament
Denny Hamlin, the top seed in the In-Season Challenge, will start from 33rd position, facing an uphill battle against Ty Dillon, who qualified 14 spots ahead. Hamlin remains optimistic about his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota’s potential during the race itself. Meanwhile, Chase Briscoe, seeded second, holds a 17-position advantage over Noah Gragson, his first-round opponent.
Implications for the Upcoming Race and Team Dynamics
Logano’s pole marks a strong statement for Ford and Team Penske as the series heads into a crucial race weekend. The closely contested qualifying results underline the competitive depth across manufacturers and teams. As the In-Season Challenge advances, starting positions could prove decisive in moving drivers through the elimination rounds.
With a Ford sweep of the top eight spots and a tight margin separating several competitors, the Quaker State 400 promises to be an intensely strategic and high-speed contest. Logano’s performance sets high expectations for Saturday night’s race and highlights the continued strength of Ford and Team Penske in the Cup Series.
