For the second straight week, Martin Truex Jr will lead the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway.
It’s Truex’s second straight pole, his first at Martinsville, and the 23rd of his career.
“It’s a big deal obviously,” he said. “We have a lot of new guys on the team and the number one pit stall is huge for us.”
Truex is currently fighting Ryan Blaney for the final playoff spot to advance to the championship race next weekend in Phoenix; he’s seeking his second Cup Series championship.
Truex barely beat his team-mate, Ty Gibbs, to take the pole. Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Preece, and Brad Keselowski completed the top 10.
Truex Jr, Hamlin, Larson, and Bell are contending for the championship; Bell and Larson have already secured their spots in the Championship 4 after winning Las Vegas (Larson) and Homestead (Bell).
The penultimate race of the 2023 season and Round of 8 finale will take place on Sunday, October 29.
Playoff Standings:
- Kyle Larson Adv.
- Christopher Bell Adv.
- William Byron +30
- Ryan Blaney +10
- Tyler Reddick -10
- Martin Truex, Jr. -17
- Denny Hamlin -17
- Chris Buescher -43
*William Byron can lock into the Championship 4 by the end of Stage 2; Buescher is in a must-win situation if he is to advance to the Championship 4
Qualifying Results:
- Martin Truex, Jr.
- Ty Gibbs #
- Chase Briscoe
- Denny Hamlin
- Kyle Larson
- Bubba Wallace
- Christopher Bell
- Kevin Harvick
- Ryan Preece
- Brad Keselowski
- Ryan Blaney
- Aric Almirola
- Ross Chastain
- Chase Elliott
- Joey Logano
- William Byron
- Todd Gilliland
- Chris Buescher
- Tyler Reddick
- Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
- Austin Cindric
- Alex Bowman
- Michael McDowell
- Justin Haley
- A.J. Allmendinger
- Austin Dillon
- Daniel Suárez
- Harrison Burton
- Erik Jones
- Corey LaJoie
- Kyle Busch
- Carson Hocevar #*
- Ryan Newman
- Ty Dillon
- J.J. Yeley
- B.J. McLeod
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