NASCAR driver Kyle Larson was denied the Coca Cola 600 pole position on Saturday evening after Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing posted an outstanding qualifying lap at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Briscoe claimed the top starting spot with a lap time of 29.532 seconds, edging out Larson by a slim margin as the drivers battled for the front row.
William Byron initially held the fastest lap, clocking 29.566 seconds in his No. 24 Chevrolet, but Briscoe soon overtook him with an impressive 29.532 in the No. 19 Toyota. Larson, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet, came closest to challenging Briscoe’s time, finishing just 0.020 seconds slower.
Kyle Larson Secures Front-Row Start Amid Historic Attempt
Despite narrowly missing the top spot, Larson has secured a front-row starting position for the race. He faces the unique challenge of competing in the Coca Cola 600 just hours after participating in the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as he attempts the demanding ‘double’—racing two major events in one day. This feat adds considerable significance to his strong qualifying performance.
Top Performers and Full Starting Lineup at Charlotte
Following Larson and Briscoe, William Byron completed the top three qualifiers with a time 0.034 seconds slower than Briscoe’s pole-winning lap. Chris Buescher and AJ Allmendinger rounded out the top five starters. Several other notable drivers, including John Hunter Nemechek, Ty Gibbs, Noah Gragson, and Alex Bowman, secured solid positions within the first ten spots.
The full qualifying results demonstrate a competitive field poised for an intense race, with experienced drivers from various teams such as Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, RFK Racing, and Kaulig Racing filling the grid.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Starting Grid for 2025 Coca Cola 600
1. Chase Briscoe, No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 29.532 seconds
2. Kyle Larson, No. 5, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, +0.020 seconds
3. William Byron, No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, +0.034 seconds
4. Chris Buescher, No. 17, RFK Racing Ford, +0.128 seconds
5. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, +0.152 seconds
6. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42, Legacy Motor Club Toyota, +0.193 seconds
7. Ty Gibbs, No. 54, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, +0.215 seconds
8. Noah Gragson, No. 4, Front Row Motorsports Ford, +0.277 seconds
9. Alex Bowman, No. 48, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, +0.282 seconds
10. Christopher Bell, No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, +0.283 seconds
Other notable qualifiers include Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Tyler Reddick, Austin Cindric, and Jimmie Johnson, with their respective team affiliations and gap times reflecting a competitive lineup for the race.
Implications for the Race and Upcoming Challenges
Kyle Larson’s near-pole performance, especially while preparing for the dual challenge of competing in the Indy 500 earlier the same day, highlights his endurance and skill. This front-row start positions him well for the Coca Cola 600, one of NASCAR’s most demanding endurance races. For Chase Briscoe, capturing the pole boosts his momentum going into the race, offering him a strong tactical advantage from the front of the pack.
The qualifying results set the stage for an exciting competition at Charlotte, as elite drivers from organizations like Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Legacy Motor Club come together in pursuit of victory on the iconic track. The narrow gaps in qualifying times indicate the fierce competition ahead.
