Kyle Busch earned the pole position for the Daytona 500 after a standout qualifying lap Wednesday night at Daytona International Speedway. The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion recorded a speed of 183.651 mph, narrowly edging Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe by just 0.064 mph, positioning himself at the front as Sunday’s Great American Race approaches. This marks Busch’s first-ever pole for the Daytona 500, a crucial milestone in his longstanding quest for victory at this iconic event.
Breaking Barriers After Long Victory Drought
At 40 years old, Busch faces mounting pressure to claim his first Daytona 500 win, having competed 20 times without a victory. Despite leading a record 342 laps for drivers who have never won the race, the win has remained elusive. His pole position now offers an important opportunity to change that narrative on his 21st start—a chance to surpass the late Dale Earnhardt’s 1998 record of winning on his 20th try.
Being able to qualify on my first pole for the Daytona 500, that’s pretty special,
Busch said with a smile.
It would be really nice to be doing an interview like this about being No. 1 come Sunday night.
It’s a box we’ve got to check,
he added.
I’ve come down here a lot of years, and I think I’ve finished in about every position possible. It’d be nice to close out with a victory here in the Daytona 500.
Richard Childress, the team owner who was behind Earnhardt’s historic win, expressed his enthusiasm for Busch’s opportunity.
Kyle, we’ve got to get him this 500,
Childress said.
Strong Start to Partnership with Jim Pohlman
This pole position also highlights the promising new collaboration between Busch and crew chief Jim Pohlman, recently appointed at Richard Childress Racing after leading Justin Allgaier to the 2024 Xfinity Series championship. Their teamwork could be pivotal in finally securing Busch’s long-awaited Daytona 500 victory.
Joe Gibbs Racing Maintains Front Row Presence
Joining Busch on the front row is Chase Briscoe, who qualified second in his No. 19 Toyota, continuing Joe Gibbs Racing’s strong showing on superspeedways. Briscoe marked this as his second consecutive front-row start at Daytona and credited his team’s continued progress.
It’s cool for sure to be able to consistently qualify two years in a row now,
Briscoe commented.
It’s really a testament to the folks back at JGR. We’ve made so many improvements on our superspeedway program.
Other Top Qualifiers and Notable Entrants
Ryan Preece, winner of last week’s Cook Out Clash, earned third place in the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, followed closely by three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin in fourth. Both finishes reinforce their teams’ competitiveness heading into the main event.
From the open qualifying sessions, two drivers secured spots in the 40-car field. Corey Heim, the 2025 Truck Series champion, will debut in the Daytona 500 driving the No. 67 Toyota for 23XI Racing after advancing to the final qualifying round.
Just kind of nerve-wracking for sure to say the least,
Heim said, expressing his excitement.
So impressed and thank you for 23XI Racing and Toyota coming here with an open car and a fourth team.
Justin Allgaier earned the other open spot by a razor-thin margin of 0.004 seconds over Corey LaJoie. Allgaier, the reigning 2024 Xfinity Series champion, will return to the Daytona 500 in Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet.
It is stressful, but that’s the best part about it,
Earnhardt noted on the qualifying intensity.
Final Starting Positions to be Decided in Duel Races
The remaining two positions in the Daytona 500 lineup will be settled during Thursday night’s Duel qualifying races, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on FS1. These races will also establish the full starting order for Sunday’s race, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive showdown at Daytona International Speedway.
Implications for Busch’s Historic Bid and the Race Ahead
Kyle Busch’s achievement of the Daytona 500 pole spot places him in an ideal position to finally secure his first victory at this prestigious race, ending a career-long drought at Daytona. With new crew chief Jim Pohlman guiding the Richard Childress Racing team, Busch’s renewed momentum offers hope for fans and himself alike.
Briscoe’s front-row presence and other top qualifiers add depth to the field, signaling an intense, strategic contest Sunday. The Duel races will further shape the competitive dynamics, enhancing anticipation for what could be a defining moment in Busch’s career and NASCAR history.
