Martin Truex Jr. will lead the field to the green flag, potentially for the final time in his NASCAR Cup Series career, on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.
Truex earned the pole in the final qualifying round at 96.190 mph (19.686 seconds). The pole capped off a day in which the Joe Gibbs Racing driver was also quickest in practice.
“It definitely reminds you again about how much fun it is to be successful,” Truex said of earning the pole in the penultimate race of the season. “A reminder that if you keep working hard, good things will eventually come your way. It has been a tough stretch here lately – especially, the last three or four months – a lot of disappointing days. A lot of days where things are going good, and one thing takes it away. It is frustrating, because from the outside looking in, it could look like we are not trying or that we gave up – we’re not running good or whatever, and that really hasn’t been the case.
“I’m proud of my guys for sticking with it and working hard. We’ve been trying hard, so even when you have a small victory like today, it is very cool and very special. In this series, it is so difficult, and it reminds you that you know how to go fast. That is always fun. I enjoyed today, and I know what I need for tomorrow. I just hope we can get there.”
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Chase Elliott (P) qualified second at 95.840. He was the highest qualifying playoff contender. He enters Sunday’s race sitting last on the playoff grid.
William Byron (P) qualified third at 95.951 mph and Chase Briscoe qualified fourth at 95.796 mph. Ty Gibbs qualified fifth at 95.912 mph and Harrison Burton qualified sixth at 95.603 mph.
Alex Bowman qualified seventh at 95.908 mph, and Ryan Blaney qualified eighth at 95.487 mph. Kyle Larson (P) qualified ninth at 95.593 mph and Austin Dillon qualified 10th at 95.367 mph.
Joey Logano (P) qualified 12th at 95.661 mph and teammate Ryan Blaney qualified 14th at 95.656 mph. Blaney is the defending race winner.
Christopher Bell (P) qualified 16th at 95.632 mph and Tyler Reddick (P) qualified 31st at 95.146 mph.
Denny Hamlin (P) did not make a qualifying attempt. Hamlin crashed in practice because of a hung throttle and his team is repairing the car for Sunday’s race.
P denotes playoff driver.