AJ Allmendinger will kick off the NASCAR Bristol starting lineup 2025 from the pole on September 13 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. He clinched the top spot with a swift qualifying lap time of 15.117 seconds, setting the stage for the weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series action.
Qualifying Highlights and Notable Drivers
The intense qualifying session saw Ryan Blaney narrowly miss the pole, posting a 15.120-second lap to start second. Austin Cindric and Ty Gibbs claimed third and fourth positions respectively, both finishing under 15.15 seconds. Kyle Larson secured fifth place with a time of 15.148 seconds, rounding out the leading five drivers poised for an exciting race.
Other strong performers included Denny Hamlin in sixth and William Byron seventh, both maintaining competitive times near the 15.2-second mark. Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell took eighth and ninth places, while Josh Berry completed the top ten.
Complete Starting Order for the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol
The starting grid features 39 drivers who qualified during this weekend’s sessions. Noteworthy names such as Chase Elliott, Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch appear throughout the field, each anticipated to bring high energy to the half-mile track known for its fast-paced racing. Below is a precise outline of the first 20 starters:
1. AJ Allmendinger – 15.117 seconds
2. Ryan Blaney – 15.120 seconds
3. Austin Cindric – 15.132 seconds
4. Ty Gibbs – 15.142 seconds
5. Kyle Larson – 15.148 seconds
6. Denny Hamlin – 15.191 seconds
7. William Byron – 15.206 seconds
8. Bubba Wallace – 15.208 seconds
9. Christopher Bell – 15.214 seconds
10. Josh Berry – 15.214 seconds
11. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 15.220 seconds
12. Carson Hocevar – 15.222 seconds
13. Ross Chastain – 15.239 seconds
14. Tyler Reddick – 15.246 seconds
15. Alex Bowman – 15.258 seconds
16. Chase Elliott – 15.271 seconds
17. Justin Haley – 15.272 seconds
18. Brad Keselowski – 15.273 seconds
19. John Hunter Nemechek – 15.273 seconds
20. Ryan Preece – 15.281 seconds
Practice and Additional Qualifying Rounds Set the Stage
The drivers have utilized practice and qualifying laps to fine-tune their performance on Bristol’s demanding short track. Those sessions not only determined the starting positions but also provided teams critical data about handling and tire wear, vital for race-day strategies under the bright lights of Tennessee’s half-mile oval.
Implications for the Race Weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway
As AJ Allmendinger leads the NASCAR Bristol starting lineup 2025, the competition looks fierce with several seasoned drivers closely trailing. The speed and consistency of the top qualifiers suggest a highly competitive event with potential for dramatic on-track battles. Fans can expect an energetic and intense race, given Bristol’s history as one of the most exciting stops on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar.
With practice and qualifying complete, teams will now focus on optimizing setups for race conditions, anticipating changes in track temperature and grip. The starting lineup sets the tone, but the race outcome at Bristol will depend on endurance, precision, and adaptability throughout the event.
