In Hampton, Georgia, Sam Mayer delivered a standout lap to earn the pole position for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta. Mayer posted a fast time of 31.804 seconds, securing the top starting spot for the upcoming race.
Joining Mayer on the front row is Carson Kvapil, who qualified with a time of 31.885 seconds, driving the Arby’s-sponsored Meat Missile. This sets an exciting stage for the Bennett Transportation 250.
Strong Chevrolet Presence and Notable Qualifying Surprises
While Mayer’s pole performance draws attention, other Chevrolet drivers made headlines as well. The powerful Richard Childress Racing team, represented by Jesse Love and Austin Hill, did not qualify near the front rows. Love settled into tenth place, and Hill, despite his strong recent form, qualified 20th.
Hill enters the race following a victory at Daytona and an impressive streak of three consecutive spring wins at Atlanta. However, Richard Childress Racing emphasized focusing on race setup rather than maximizing qualifying speed, which influenced their position.
Experienced Competitors and Emerging Drivers in the Field
The starting lineup also features established Cup Series drivers Ross Chastain and Cody Ware, with Ware returning to Atlanta for the first time since 2022. Additionally, Truck Series regular Gio Ruggiero makes his second career start in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, adding fresh talent to the grid.
A total of 39 drivers attempted to qualify for the race, but only 38 made the field. Dawson Cram recorded the slowest time at 33.577 seconds and failed to qualify for the event.
Complete Starting Grid for the Bennett Transportation 250
Below is the finalized starting lineup for the race at EchoPark Speedway, featuring a competitive mix of seasoned racers and newcomers eager to make their mark.
