Joey Logano clinched the NASCAR Cup Pole after an impressive qualifying effort on Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, setting the stage for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301. The defending champion delivered a strong lap at his home track, earning the top starting position to lead the field.
Taking one of the final runs in qualifying, Logano posted a lap speed of 130.622 mph, besting his Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney and Ford partner Josh Berry. This marks Logano’s second pole of the season and the 33rd of his Cup Series career. Team Penske showcased their strength by commanding the front row, while Austin Cindric, despite targeting a provisional pole, fell back to 22nd after losing control in turns 3 and 4 late in qualifying.
The top five starters include Tyler Reddick in fourth and William Byron in fifth, followed by Carson Hocevar, Alex Bowman, Ross Chastain, Denny Hamlin, and Shane van Gisbergen completing the top 10. Playoff contenders faced mixed results, with Bubba Wallace starting 14th, Kyle Larson 16th, and Chase Briscoe 18th. Christopher Bell, fresh off a Bristol win, qualified 19th, and Austin Cindric sits deep in 22nd. Chase Elliott notably struggled the most among playoff drivers, beginning his race from 27th place.
Qualifying Results and Playoff Implications for New Hampshire
With all 36 drivers on the entry list making the race, the Mobil 1 301 promises intense competition. The event will serve as the opening race of the Round of 12 in the playoffs, airing Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network. The performance in qualifying underlines which drivers must work harder to advance in championship contention.
Joey Logano’s ability to secure the pole at his home circuit, alongside strong efforts from his Penske teammates, demonstrates his readiness for Sunday’s race. Meanwhile, drivers like Chase Elliott and Austin Cindric will face challenges starting deep in the field. This sets up a race with high stakes, as every position will matter to the playoff drivers seeking to advance.
Thomas, a Bay Area NASCAR fan and Frontstretch reporter, brings insights rooted in over 15 years of following the sport, his passion sparked through admiration for Jeff Gordon. Covering NASCAR alongside college football, Thomas continues to provide focused, knowledgeable analysis for the New Hampshire Cup Series events.
