William Byron wins pole for NASCAR Cup title race
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Championship 4 driver William Byron won the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway, keeping alive the possibility of preserving a remarkable streak.
In each of the three title races at the one-mile track in the Sonoran Desert, the pole winner has gone on to win the race and the championship—Chase Elliott in 2020, Kyle Larson in 2021 and Joey Logano last year.
In the final round of Saturday’s time trials, Byron navigated the irregular-shaped track in 27.150 seconds (132.597 mph) to claim the top starting spot by 0.018 seconds over Martin Truex Jr. (132.509) mph, who was eliminated from the Playoffs last Sunday at Martinsville.
Making his final qualifying run as a full-time Cup Series driver, Kevin Harvick earned the third starting spot with a lap at 132.421 mph. Championship 4 contender Larson, Byron’s teammate at Hendrick Motorsports, qualified fourth at 132.397 mph.
“My team is really going to like this,” said Byron, who won his fourth Busch Light Pole Award of the season, his first at Phoenix and the 12th of his career—and earned the right to select advantageous Pit Stall No. 1.
“It’s going to be fun. All my family and friends are here, all my friends from high school. It’s going to be fun to hang out with them over tonight and just enjoy. This is a great opportunity. I want to be here every year. It’s really fun to be a part of, and we need to take advantage of it.”
Championship 4 drivers Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney, who were the fastest two title contenders in Friday’s practice, failed to make the final round of qualifying and will start 13th and 15th, respectively.
“I needed about another tenth-and-a-half (of a second)—I don’t know,” said Blaney, who earned his spot in the final four with a victory last Sunday at Martinsville. “I mean, the car didn’t feel bad, just not as much speed as everyone else. I think our race car is good for (Sunday). So, we’ll see what happens.”
Larson can win a second championship on Sunday. For the other three Playoff drivers, a title would be the first. Larson was reluctant to put too much stock in qualifying speed.
“I think we all saw the practice sheets yesterday,” Larson said. “I think the 12 (Blaney) and the 20 (Bell) looked a step better than especially me and even William a little bit. Was honestly surprised that they didn't make the final round there.
“So, no, I'm not counting out Blaney or Bell at all. It's a long race, so they'll overcome wherever they start. I'm sure they'll drive through the field. The final four guys, most everybody respects or shows a lot of respect to on the racetrack and gives a lot of space.
“I think they'll find their way to the front pretty quickly.”
Bubba Wallace claimed the fifth spot on the grid, followed by Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones, Ross Chastain, Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick, who spun and slapped the Turn 4 wall during his run in the final round.
Notes: Harvick ran the fastest lap of the day in the first round (27.067 seconds, 133.003 mph)… Cole Custer qualified 31st in relief of Brad Keselowski, who flew home to Charlotte to be with wife Paige, who went into labor with the couple’s third child. Keselowski is expected to return for Sunday’s race.
Starting Line Up by Row
Phoenix Raceway
NASCAR Cup Series Championship
Provided by NASCAR Statistics - Saturday, 11/4/2023 @ 05:57 PM Eastern
Driver Date Time Speed
Track Race Record: Tony Stewart 11/07/99 2:38:28 118.132
Pos Car Driver Team Time Speed
Row 1: 1 24 William Byron (P) Axalta Chevrolet 27.150 132.597
2 19 Martin Truex Jr. Bass Pro Shops Toyota 27.168 132.509
Row 2: 3 4 Kevin Harvick Busch Light Harvick Ford 27.186 132.421
4 5 Kyle Larson (P) HendrickCars.com Chevrolet 27.191 132.397
Row 3: 5 23 Bubba Wallace Columbia Sportswear Company Toyota 27.219 132.261
6 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Toyota 27.244 132.139
Row 4: 7 43 Erik Jones Allegiant Allways Rewards Chevrolet 27.368 131.540
8 1 Ross Chastain Worldwide Express Chevrolet 27.386 131.454
Row 5: 9 17 Chris Buescher Fastenal Ford 27.458 131.109
10 45 Tyler Reddick Toyota Toyota 27.957 128.769
Row 6: 11 54 Ty Gibbs # Monster Energy Toyota 27.181 132.445
12 41 Ryan Preece United Rentals Ford 27.182 132.441
Row 7: 13 20 Christopher Bell (P) Rheem/DEWALT Toyota 27.203 132.338
14 38 Todd Gilliland Boot Barn Ford 27.205 132.329
Row 8: 15 12 Ryan Blaney (P) Menards/Dutch Boy Ford 27.218 132.265
16 99 Daniel Suarez Tootsies Orchid Lounge Chevrolet 27.232 132.197
Row 9: 17 22 Joey Logano Shell Pennzoil Ford 27.241 132.154
18 8 Kyle Busch 3CHI Chevrolet 27.246 132.129
Row 10: 19 34 Michael McDowell Love's/Delo Ford 27.249 132.115
20 9 Chase Elliott NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet 27.266 132.033
Row 11: 21 3 Austin Dillon Get Bioethanol Chevrolet 27.275 131.989
22 42 Carson Hocevar(i) Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet 27.280 131.965
Row 12: 23 48 Alex Bowman Ally Chevrolet 27.295 131.892
24 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Fry's/Cheez-It Chevrolet 27.316 131.791
Row 13: 25 21 Harrison Burton Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford 27.421 131.286
26 14 Chase Briscoe Mahindra Tractors Ford 27.444 131.176
Row 14: 27 2 Austin Cindric Discount Tire Ford 27.446 131.167
28 10 Aric Almirola Smithfield Ford 27.460 131.100
Row 15: 29 7 Corey LaJoie NEGU Chevrolet 27.557 130.638
30 51 Ryan Newman(i) Serial 1 E-Bikes Ford 27.578 130.539
Row 16: 31 6 Cole Custer(i) Castrol Edge Ford 27.582 130.520
32 16 AJ Allmendinger Action Industries Chevrolet 27.599 130.440
Row 17: 33 77 Ty Dillon Gainbridge Chevrolet 27.606 130.406
34 15 JJ Yeley(i) Total Point/Patriot Mobile Ford 27.662 130.142
Row 18: 35 31 Justin Haley Campers Inn RV Chevrolet 28.003 128.558
36 78 BJ McLeod(i) Pala Casino Chevrolet 29.248 123.085
Manufacturer Starting Lineup DNQs Manufacturer Starting Lineup DNQs
Chevrolet 16 0 Ford 14 0
Toyota 6 0
(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series
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