Joey Logano secured the pole position at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, with his Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney closely behind, locking the front row for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race. This achievement highlights the strong performance of the Penske team as they prepare to make a push in the playoffs.
Logano, the reigning Cup Series champion, posted a fast lap of 29.159 seconds around the 1.058-mile oval, known to him as a home track, while Blaney missed the pole by just 0.170 seconds. Fellow Ford driver Josh Berry followed closely, placing third with a lap 0.195 seconds slower than Logano’s leading time.
Ryan Blaney Praises Team Penske for Front Row Achievement
After qualifying, Blaney expressed satisfaction with his lap and the overall team effort that resulted in a Penske front-row lockout. He noted the competitiveness of his teammates and the quality of the car setup, crediting the entire team for their performance.
“I feel good for tomorrow. I was fairly happy about our lap in qualifying. I didn’t know what Joey ran. He went out right in front of me. I knew Josh ran; I knew what I had to beat. I thought I was close until I looked at the time. I’m a tenth-and-a-half off of Joey.”
— Ryan Blaney, Team Penske driver
“What a heck of a lap by that group and him. Really cool to have a Penske front row and Josh right there in third. Appreciate everybody for bringing fast cars,” he added.
— Ryan Blaney, Team Penske driver
This solid qualifying performance provides both drivers a strong starting position to enhance their playoff prospects. Logano is currently 10th in the standings, ten points shy of the playoff cutoff, making his pole position critical for advancing. Blaney, meanwhile, sits comfortably in fifth place with a 19-point buffer.
Austin Cindric Faces Challenges in Qualifying
The third Penske driver, Austin Cindric, struggled during qualifying after a slip exiting the final corner, which cost him valuable time. As a result, Cindric will begin the race 22nd, and like Logano, he must fight to stay above the playoff cutline, currently sitting in ninth position.
Other Notable Starting Positions at New Hampshire
The starting grid features three Ford drivers leading the field ahead of competitors including Tyler Reddick, William Byron, Carson Hocevar, Alex Bowman, and Ross Chastain. Playoff leader Denny Hamlin secured ninth place, with Shane van Gisbergen rounding out the top 10 starters.
Joey Logano Credits His Team for Securing Pole Position
After earning his 33rd career pole, Logano highlighted the contributions of his Team Penske crew and crew chief Paul Wolfe. He praised their ability to fine-tune the car’s performance at New Hampshire, emphasizing that the track holds special significance for him.
“I got a great group of guys… Paul knows how to help me get the car good and where it needs to be. It’s the home track. Feels so good to run well here. It’s a good starting spot, obviously. Hopefully we’re able to capitalize tomorrow. We got a good pit stall, if nothing else.”
— Joey Logano, Team Penske driver
Logano’s journey with Team Penske began in 2013 following a less successful start with Joe Gibbs Racing. His partnership with Wolfe, which started in 2020 after Wolfe’s tenure with Brad Keselowski, has been especially fruitful. Together, they have won two championships in 2022 and 2024, contributing to Logano’s career total of three Cup Series titles.
Implications for the Playoff Race at The Magic Mile
The Penske front-row lockout sets the stage for a competitive Sunday race, particularly for Logano and Blaney as they seek to strengthen their positions in the playoffs. Logano’s pole placement not only offers a preferred starting spot but also a valuable pit stall, both of which could be decisive at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, often referred to as “The Magic Mile.”
Blaney’s consistent performance keeps him in a comfortable standing, while Austin Cindric faces a tougher challenge from deeper in the pack. The tightly contested field, with other playoff contenders like Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and William Byron also near the front, promises intense racing action that could impact the championship picture as the season progresses.
