1 month ago
MADISON, Ill. (AP) — Joey Logano secured the pole position Saturday for NASCAR's postseason race at World Wide Technology Raceway, positioning himself for a needed boost in the championship Chase.
Logano posted a lap of 32.817 seconds on the 1 1/4-mile oval in suburban St. Louis that features tight turns at the south end and flat, sweeping turns on the north side. He averaged 137.124 mph and his No. 22 Ford was 0.276 seconds faster than Kyle Larson.
"We've got some good momentum on our side here recently," said Logano, who has won twice in his last seven races to climb to eighth in the point standings. "We've had some good cars. We've done a good job. We've put ourselves back in the talks of racing for a championship.
"We may be the underdogs, but we're very used to that. That's where we live, and we feel we got a shot to do it."
The three-time Cup Series champion won the inaugural Cup race at World Wide Technology Raceway on his way to the 2022 championship and has finished in the top five each of the past three years. He will also have the first pit stall Sunday, a key advantage on the second-narrowest pit road of the season.
#we 've #championship #wide #technology
Logano posted a lap of 32.817 seconds on the 1 1/4-mile oval in suburban St. Louis that features tight turns at the south end and flat, sweeping turns on the north side. He averaged 137.124 mph and his No. 22 Ford was 0.276 seconds faster than Kyle Larson.
"We've got some good momentum on our side here recently," said Logano, who has won twice in his last seven races to climb to eighth in the point standings. "We've had some good cars. We've done a good job. We've put ourselves back in the talks of racing for a championship.
"We may be the underdogs, but we're very used to that. That's where we live, and we feel we got a shot to do it."
The three-time Cup Series champion won the inaugural Cup race at World Wide Technology Raceway on his way to the 2022 championship and has finished in the top five each of the past three years. He will also have the first pit stall Sunday, a key advantage on the second-narrowest pit road of the season.
#we 've #championship #wide #technology
1 month ago
Carson Hocevar spun out Brad Keselowski, bringing out a caution and ending the first stage of the NASCAR Darlington race on Sept. 6.
There were still a few laps left in the stage, but when the yellow comes out so near the end, a new NASCAR rule states the stage ends.
Hocevar came close to taking out Joey Logano as well when he got into the back of Keselowski. There did not seem to be a reason for Hocevar making contact.
It was the first caution of the race.
Tyler Reddick won the stage, with Bubba Wallace second and Denny Hamlin third.
#hocevar #first
There were still a few laps left in the stage, but when the yellow comes out so near the end, a new NASCAR rule states the stage ends.
Hocevar came close to taking out Joey Logano as well when he got into the back of Keselowski. There did not seem to be a reason for Hocevar making contact.
It was the first caution of the race.
Tyler Reddick won the stage, with Bubba Wallace second and Denny Hamlin third.
#hocevar #first
2 months ago
Gentlemen from Connecticut, start your engines. The Nutmeg State just doubled its chances in "The Chase."
Berlin native Ryan Preece, with an overtime victory Saturday night at Daytona in the ***** e Zero Sugar 400, the final regular-season race in the NASCAR Cup Series, secured the 16th and final berth in the postseason.
Preece will join Middletown native and former Cup champion Joey Logano in the 16-driver playoff series, which opens Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.
On Saturday night at Daytona, Preece triumphed at a track at which he knew mostly trauma. He twice flipped cars at NASCAR's iconic home track, last year during the Daytona 500 and in 2023 at the ***** e Zero Sugar 400.
This time around, Preece dodged mayhem on the final lap when leader Zane Smith got ***** ped and spun into other cars. Preece safely navigated his No. 60 car to the front and took the checkered flag under caution.
#daytona #series #night
Berlin native Ryan Preece, with an overtime victory Saturday night at Daytona in the ***** e Zero Sugar 400, the final regular-season race in the NASCAR Cup Series, secured the 16th and final berth in the postseason.
Preece will join Middletown native and former Cup champion Joey Logano in the 16-driver playoff series, which opens Sunday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.
On Saturday night at Daytona, Preece triumphed at a track at which he knew mostly trauma. He twice flipped cars at NASCAR's iconic home track, last year during the Daytona 500 and in 2023 at the ***** e Zero Sugar 400.
This time around, Preece dodged mayhem on the final lap when leader Zane Smith got ***** ped and spun into other cars. Preece safely navigated his No. 60 car to the front and took the checkered flag under caution.
#daytona #series #night
2 months ago
Shane van Gisbergen won his first stage win on an oval of his NASCAR career.
But it didn't come without controversy.
The Trackhouse Racing driver ******* ped the back of Kyle Larson's Chevrolet as they approached the finish line to end Stage 1 of the ******* e Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona on Aug. 29. Larson then ran into the back of race leader Chris Buescher to send both Larson and Buescher into the frontstretch grass. Larson finished sixth and Buescher went from the lead to 11th and didn't get any stage points.
Ryan Preece, Buescher's teammate, was collected in the wreck by Buescher and Larson when they went across the track to the grass. Preece entered the regular-season finale 17th in points, 31 points behind van Gisbergen for the final spot in the Chase.
Ty Gibbs finished second and Joey Logano finished third.
#larson #finished #points
But it didn't come without controversy.
The Trackhouse Racing driver ******* ped the back of Kyle Larson's Chevrolet as they approached the finish line to end Stage 1 of the ******* e Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona on Aug. 29. Larson then ran into the back of race leader Chris Buescher to send both Larson and Buescher into the frontstretch grass. Larson finished sixth and Buescher went from the lead to 11th and didn't get any stage points.
Ryan Preece, Buescher's teammate, was collected in the wreck by Buescher and Larson when they went across the track to the grass. Preece entered the regular-season finale 17th in points, 31 points behind van Gisbergen for the final spot in the Chase.
Ty Gibbs finished second and Joey Logano finished third.
#larson #finished #points
2 months ago
Picking a NASCAR Cup Series winner is rarely easy. Picking one at Daytona International Speedway can feel closer to throwing darts.
That hasn't stopped oddsmakers from identifying two drivers as the men to beat entering Saturday night's **** e Zero Sugar 400.
William Byron and Ryan Blaney are the co-favorites at +850 for NASCAR's regular-season finale, according to the latest odds listed by FOX Sports. Joey Logano sits alone behind them at +1100, while Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott are each +1200.
The Cup Series returns to the 2.5-mile Daytona superspeedway Saturday, Aug. 29, with the green flag scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The race will also determine the 16-driver field for NASCAR's returning Chase postseason format.
And if there is one track where bettors may want to keep scrolling beyond the favorites, it's Daytona.
#chase
That hasn't stopped oddsmakers from identifying two drivers as the men to beat entering Saturday night's **** e Zero Sugar 400.
William Byron and Ryan Blaney are the co-favorites at +850 for NASCAR's regular-season finale, according to the latest odds listed by FOX Sports. Joey Logano sits alone behind them at +1100, while Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott are each +1200.
The Cup Series returns to the 2.5-mile Daytona superspeedway Saturday, Aug. 29, with the green flag scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The race will also determine the 16-driver field for NASCAR's returning Chase postseason format.
And if there is one track where bettors may want to keep scrolling beyond the favorites, it's Daytona.
#chase
2 months ago
Joey Logano leapfrogged into the top-10 standings after winning Saturday's Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. The result marks his second win in just four races.
Logano had a podium start in the season-opening Daytona 500, but struggled to make headway ever since. At his lowest, the former champion was out of the Chase cutoff in 20th, while Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney consistently finished top-10.
With his latest win, Logano has tied Blaney for two wins this season. The No.22 driver addressed the resurgence in his victory lane interview, saying,
"Don't let the boys get hot, we're pretty strong right now. It's awesome to see the speed in the No. 22 again….we've had a great car here the last five races. We haven't been able to capitalize with a win, we've been so close but sweet redemption today."
"We got a strong team, no doubt, and Paul made some great calls there. The 19 was better than us in that last run so I was trying to just manage the tires and yeah, kind of a fun back and forth….it's getting the points that we need. This is important, we need to get ourselves back in the top-10 and I ***** ume this gets us pretty close," he added via NASCAR's official website.
#season #great
Logano had a podium start in the season-opening Daytona 500, but struggled to make headway ever since. At his lowest, the former champion was out of the Chase cutoff in 20th, while Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney consistently finished top-10.
With his latest win, Logano has tied Blaney for two wins this season. The No.22 driver addressed the resurgence in his victory lane interview, saying,
"Don't let the boys get hot, we're pretty strong right now. It's awesome to see the speed in the No. 22 again….we've had a great car here the last five races. We haven't been able to capitalize with a win, we've been so close but sweet redemption today."
"We got a strong team, no doubt, and Paul made some great calls there. The 19 was better than us in that last run so I was trying to just manage the tires and yeah, kind of a fun back and forth….it's getting the points that we need. This is important, we need to get ourselves back in the top-10 and I ***** ume this gets us pretty close," he added via NASCAR's official website.
#season #great
2 months ago
Joey Logano — winner: "My team did a great job. The pressure was on everybody to make the right calls, to execute the runs, to have a good pit stop there. We were door-to-door pretty much onto pit road. That tested everything we had. I thought we were gonna be in good shape because the run before that we were a lot faster than (Chase Briscoe) right at the end, but we weren't able to be the same amount of good as we wanted to be. This is the first time I've had all of my kids here for a win, so this is a real special one for our family. I'm looking forward to enjoying it. It's a great recovery so far. There's a long way to go in the season, but we can see the front from here. We've still got a couple more to gain some more points to set ourselves up better. I just like doing burnouts. That's really all there is to it. I thought it was a cool opportunity to do a burnout right here. I might get my hand slapped, but it was worth it."
Chase Briscoe — second: "Yeah, I don't know what more I needed. I thought that last run I was a little bit better than him. To get there at the end, prior run to the pit stop, I just lost brakes, got really, really loose. Gave up a three-second advantage. That was ultimately the difference. One bad run. Like I said, that was the difference maker there in the end. It's weird to be running second here. This has been a real struggle to me, this place. I think that's my first ever top 10 here even. To get close, not get it done is so frustrating. I had a really fast Toyota and wasn't able to seal the deal there in the end. The brake deal was interesting. I had great brakes. I felt like a large majority of the race it was to my advantage. I could get into the corner so deep compared to everyone. As I kind of lost that, I lost my advantage. I came not mediocre, but I wasn't quite as strong as what I needed to be to maintain there. Yeah, definitely frustrating from that standpoint, but still huge improvement from what I've been here, for sure. Go on to the next one. Yeah, that's great (to clinch a Chase spot). Obviously that was the goal. You want to be able to race for a championship. A long way to go. We need to get fifth in points. We continued to do what we needed to do from that standpoint, had a great points night. It would have been great to have 15 more points at the end. Yeah, just frustrating to say the least to have one slip away like that at the end."
Austin Cindric — third: "Yeah, that's kind of the name of the game here, especially since they introduced this right side here last year. I thought that was one of our strengths. We could fire off good enough, but I thought I was one of the best cars, especially after about 30 laps. We were a little too good too late in the runs, but, overall, like I said, it was a much needed run for our Ford Mustang. I feel like car performance-wise, for sure. You saw that from all four of our cars. Obviously, with Joey getting the win, the 21 was super strong all night and Ryan ha
Chase Briscoe — second: "Yeah, I don't know what more I needed. I thought that last run I was a little bit better than him. To get there at the end, prior run to the pit stop, I just lost brakes, got really, really loose. Gave up a three-second advantage. That was ultimately the difference. One bad run. Like I said, that was the difference maker there in the end. It's weird to be running second here. This has been a real struggle to me, this place. I think that's my first ever top 10 here even. To get close, not get it done is so frustrating. I had a really fast Toyota and wasn't able to seal the deal there in the end. The brake deal was interesting. I had great brakes. I felt like a large majority of the race it was to my advantage. I could get into the corner so deep compared to everyone. As I kind of lost that, I lost my advantage. I came not mediocre, but I wasn't quite as strong as what I needed to be to maintain there. Yeah, definitely frustrating from that standpoint, but still huge improvement from what I've been here, for sure. Go on to the next one. Yeah, that's great (to clinch a Chase spot). Obviously that was the goal. You want to be able to race for a championship. A long way to go. We need to get fifth in points. We continued to do what we needed to do from that standpoint, had a great points night. It would have been great to have 15 more points at the end. Yeah, just frustrating to say the least to have one slip away like that at the end."
Austin Cindric — third: "Yeah, that's kind of the name of the game here, especially since they introduced this right side here last year. I thought that was one of our strengths. We could fire off good enough, but I thought I was one of the best cars, especially after about 30 laps. We were a little too good too late in the runs, but, overall, like I said, it was a much needed run for our Ford Mustang. I feel like car performance-wise, for sure. You saw that from all four of our cars. Obviously, with Joey getting the win, the 21 was super strong all night and Ryan ha
2 months ago
Ford driver Joey Logano stayed hot in Virginia's capital on Saturday night and won for the second time in four starts, taking the checkers in the Cook Out 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at the Richmond Raceway short track in Richmond, Virginia.
The No. 22 Team Penske driver ran down Christopher Bell's No. 20 Toyota over the final 37 laps after his final pit stop and earned his second win of 2026 by holding off Chase Briscoe by 0.392 seconds.
His other victory was also on a short track in Cup racing's return to North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19.
It was his third career Richmond win and Ford's fourth of 2026.
Austin Cindric, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott completed the top five.
#chase
The No. 22 Team Penske driver ran down Christopher Bell's No. 20 Toyota over the final 37 laps after his final pit stop and earned his second win of 2026 by holding off Chase Briscoe by 0.392 seconds.
His other victory was also on a short track in Cup racing's return to North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19.
It was his third career Richmond win and Ford's fourth of 2026.
Austin Cindric, Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott completed the top five.
#chase
2 months ago
Joey Logano held off Chase Briscoe to win in the NASCAR Richmond on Aug. 15 in the Cookout 400.
Logano won for the third time at Richmond with only two races remaining in the 2026 regular season. He led 96 laps after starting in 10th.
Results are not official
Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
#team
Logano won for the third time at Richmond with only two races remaining in the 2026 regular season. He led 96 laps after starting in 10th.
Results are not official
Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
#team
2 months ago
Joey Logano held off Chase Briscoe to win in the NASCAR Richmond on Aug. 15 in the Cookout 400.
Logano won for the third time at Richmond with only two races remaining in the 2026 regular season. He led 96 laps after starting in 10th.
Results are not official
Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
#logano
Logano won for the third time at Richmond with only two races remaining in the 2026 regular season. He led 96 laps after starting in 10th.
Results are not official
Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
#logano
2 months ago
Austin Cindric took a major step toward a Chase berth with a top-five run in the Cook Out 400 NASCAR Richmond race on Aug. 15.
Cindric earned a third-place finish at Richmond. Combined with 14 stage points, the Team Penske driver moved to 15th in points, 57 points ahead of the Chase cutline.
Joey Logano earned the win at Richmond, moving to eighth in points and staking claim as a 2026 championship contender.
Shane van Gisbergen is 16th in points, 50 points ahead of Ryan Preece at the Chase cutline.
Here's the updated NASCAR Cup Series points standings:
#cook
Cindric earned a third-place finish at Richmond. Combined with 14 stage points, the Team Penske driver moved to 15th in points, 57 points ahead of the Chase cutline.
Joey Logano earned the win at Richmond, moving to eighth in points and staking claim as a 2026 championship contender.
Shane van Gisbergen is 16th in points, 50 points ahead of Ryan Preece at the Chase cutline.
Here's the updated NASCAR Cup Series points standings:
#cook
2 months ago
Austin Cindric took a major step toward a Chase berth with a top-five run in the Cook Out 400 NASCAR Richmond, Virginia, race on Aug. 15.
Cindric earned a third-place finish at Richmond. Combined with 14 stage points, the Team Penske driver moved to 15th in points, 57 points ahead of the Chase cutline.
Joey Logano won the race, moving to eighth in points and staking claim as a 2026 championship contender.
Shane van Gisbergen is 16th in points, 50 points ahead of Ryan Preece at the Chase cutline.
Here's the updated NASCAR Cup Series points standings:
#points #chase #nascar
Cindric earned a third-place finish at Richmond. Combined with 14 stage points, the Team Penske driver moved to 15th in points, 57 points ahead of the Chase cutline.
Joey Logano won the race, moving to eighth in points and staking claim as a 2026 championship contender.
Shane van Gisbergen is 16th in points, 50 points ahead of Ryan Preece at the Chase cutline.
Here's the updated NASCAR Cup Series points standings:
#points #chase #nascar
3 months ago
Is there a NASCAR race today? Date, start time, TV schedule for next Cup Series race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NASCAR Cup Series had another thrilling race at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway last week, but this weekend, drivers will rest.
The Brickyard 400 at Indy was anything but a typical race. Part-time driving for 23XI Racing, Corey Heim held off NASCAR veterans Christopher Bell and Joey Logano in the closing laps, sealing a historic win for the 24-year-old.
After several months of consecutive racing, the Cup Series will take a much-needed break this weekend before heading to the Midwest for the Iowa Corn 350 on Aug. 9. Denny Hamlin still leads the overall standings with 886 points, but Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney and Ty Gibbs are not far behind.
Here's everything you need to know about the next NASCAR race, including TV channel and streaming options for the upcoming Iowa Corn 350.
#corn
The NASCAR Cup Series had another thrilling race at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway last week, but this weekend, drivers will rest.
The Brickyard 400 at Indy was anything but a typical race. Part-time driving for 23XI Racing, Corey Heim held off NASCAR veterans Christopher Bell and Joey Logano in the closing laps, sealing a historic win for the 24-year-old.
After several months of consecutive racing, the Cup Series will take a much-needed break this weekend before heading to the Midwest for the Iowa Corn 350 on Aug. 9. Denny Hamlin still leads the overall standings with 886 points, but Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney and Ty Gibbs are not far behind.
Here's everything you need to know about the next NASCAR race, including TV channel and streaming options for the upcoming Iowa Corn 350.
#corn
3 months ago
Tyler Reddick made up a little bit of ground on Denny Hamlin in the fight for the regular season championship lead, closing from 44pts behind to 24pts back after Atlanta. There are now just six races until the Chase grid is set.
After Atlanta, both Hamlin and Reddick also mathematically clinched a spot in the 2026 Chase field.
In the battle around the cut-line, Shane van Gisbergen is 31pts above after another oval top ten, while Erik Jones remains on the bubble, eight points ahead of Joey Logano. Ryan Preece is -26pts, Brad Keselowski -43pts, and Ross Chastain -45pts.
Chastain was also the biggest mover in the standings, jumping two positions from 22nd to 20th, while A.J. Allmendinger was the biggest loser, falling three positions from 19th to 22nd.
Read Also:
After Atlanta, both Hamlin and Reddick also mathematically clinched a spot in the 2026 Chase field.
In the battle around the cut-line, Shane van Gisbergen is 31pts above after another oval top ten, while Erik Jones remains on the bubble, eight points ahead of Joey Logano. Ryan Preece is -26pts, Brad Keselowski -43pts, and Ross Chastain -45pts.
Chastain was also the biggest mover in the standings, jumping two positions from 22nd to 20th, while A.J. Allmendinger was the biggest loser, falling three positions from 19th to 22nd.
Read Also:
3 months ago
Ryan Blaney earned his 19th career NASCAR Cup victory, winning from pole position at Atlanta in a three-wide battle. Blaney also swept both stages, dominating most of the event.
Bubba Wallace finished second, but was later penalized for advancing his position below the yellow line. That penalty dropped him down to 29th as the last car on the lead lap.
Christopher Bell was ultimately credited with second, Carson Hocevar third, Ty Gibbs fourth, and Erik Jones fifth.
Shane van Gisbergen finished sixth, matching his finish from this race earlier in the year. Austin Dillon was seventh, Tyler Reddick eighth, Joey Logano ninth, and Chris Buescher tenth.
Impressively, 29 of 38 starters finished on the lead lap in Sunday's race, which ended just before 2am EST on Monday due to a lengthy weather delay.
Bubba Wallace finished second, but was later penalized for advancing his position below the yellow line. That penalty dropped him down to 29th as the last car on the lead lap.
Christopher Bell was ultimately credited with second, Carson Hocevar third, Ty Gibbs fourth, and Erik Jones fifth.
Shane van Gisbergen finished sixth, matching his finish from this race earlier in the year. Austin Dillon was seventh, Tyler Reddick eighth, Joey Logano ninth, and Chris Buescher tenth.
Impressively, 29 of 38 starters finished on the lead lap in Sunday's race, which ended just before 2am EST on Monday due to a lengthy weather delay.
3 months ago
Ryan Blaney vaulted into NASCAR Cup Series regular-season ***** le contention with the Quaker State 400 victory on July 13 at EchoPark Speedway.
Blaney claimed the victory after a 3-hour red flag weather delay.
The driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford is now 65 points behind points leader Denny Hamlin with six races to go before the Chase.
Erik Jones remained in 16th after a top-5 finish, just ahead of top-10 finisher Joey Logano.
Here's the updated NASCAR Cup Series points standings:
Blaney claimed the victory after a 3-hour red flag weather delay.
The driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford is now 65 points behind points leader Denny Hamlin with six races to go before the Chase.
Erik Jones remained in 16th after a top-5 finish, just ahead of top-10 finisher Joey Logano.
Here's the updated NASCAR Cup Series points standings:
3 months ago
Ryan Blaney vaulted into NASCAR Cup Series regular-season ***** le contention with the Quaker State 400 victory on July 13 at EchoPark Speedway.
Blaney claimed the victory after a 3-hour red flag weather delay.
The driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford is now 65 points behind points leader Denny Hamlin with six races to go before the Chase.
Erik Jones remained in 16th after a top-5 finish, just ahead of top-10 finisher Joey Logano.
Here's the updated NASCAR Cup Series points standings:
Blaney claimed the victory after a 3-hour red flag weather delay.
The driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford is now 65 points behind points leader Denny Hamlin with six races to go before the Chase.
Erik Jones remained in 16th after a top-5 finish, just ahead of top-10 finisher Joey Logano.
Here's the updated NASCAR Cup Series points standings:
3 months ago
About halfway through Stage 2, a lightning strike within eight miles of EchoPark Speedway forced NASCAR to red flag the race, bringing the field of 38 cars down pit road.
There were no incidents in the first 109 laps of the race and all cars were still running. The race needs to reach Lap 131 to be official as that is the halfway point of the event.
There are thunderstorms in the area, and rain began to fall after the cars were stopped on pit road.
Ryan Blaney was leading the race at the time of the stoppage, with Bubba Wallace second, Tyler Reddick third, Christopher Bell fourth, and Chase Elliott fifth.
Erik Jones, Kyle Larson, Carson Hocevar, Joey Logano, and Ty Gibbs fill out the remainder of the top ten.
There were no incidents in the first 109 laps of the race and all cars were still running. The race needs to reach Lap 131 to be official as that is the halfway point of the event.
There are thunderstorms in the area, and rain began to fall after the cars were stopped on pit road.
Ryan Blaney was leading the race at the time of the stoppage, with Bubba Wallace second, Tyler Reddick third, Christopher Bell fourth, and Chase Elliott fifth.
Erik Jones, Kyle Larson, Carson Hocevar, Joey Logano, and Ty Gibbs fill out the remainder of the top ten.
3 months ago
HAMPTON, Ga. — Team Penske Fords claimed the front row spots for Sunday night's NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway.
Ryan Blaney won the pole with a lap time of 30.815 seconds at 179.912 mph on Saturday.
Blaney's teammate, Joey Logano, was second with a lap time of 30.851 seconds at 179.702 mph.
"Feels good to have a Penske front row," Blaney said, adding he also can work well with other Ford drivers. "Hopefully we'll be able to get organized at some point but it's nice that Joey and I are starting at the front."
Blaney is third in the Cup Series points race. Points leader Denny Hamlin and second-place Tyler Reddick qualified 28th and 31st, respectively, in their 23XI Racing Toyotas.
Ryan Blaney won the pole with a lap time of 30.815 seconds at 179.912 mph on Saturday.
Blaney's teammate, Joey Logano, was second with a lap time of 30.851 seconds at 179.702 mph.
"Feels good to have a Penske front row," Blaney said, adding he also can work well with other Ford drivers. "Hopefully we'll be able to get organized at some point but it's nice that Joey and I are starting at the front."
Blaney is third in the Cup Series points race. Points leader Denny Hamlin and second-place Tyler Reddick qualified 28th and 31st, respectively, in their 23XI Racing Toyotas.
3 months ago
Denny Hamlin will lead the field to the green flag Sunday after winning the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway in one of the closest qualifying sessions of the 2026 season.
Hamlin turned a lap of 30.296 seconds (178.241 mph), edging Kyle Larson by just 0.001 seconds. Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski continued RFK Racing's strong weekend by qualifying third and fourth, while Ty Gibbs completed the top five.
Toyota placed five drivers inside the top eight, while reigning Cup Series champion Joey Logano will have plenty of work to do after qualifying 31st.
Here's the complete starting lineup for Sunday's Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.
Denny Hamlin
Hamlin turned a lap of 30.296 seconds (178.241 mph), edging Kyle Larson by just 0.001 seconds. Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski continued RFK Racing's strong weekend by qualifying third and fourth, while Ty Gibbs completed the top five.
Toyota placed five drivers inside the top eight, while reigning Cup Series champion Joey Logano will have plenty of work to do after qualifying 31st.
Here's the complete starting lineup for Sunday's Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.
Denny Hamlin
4 months ago
Austin Cindric's future with Team Penske is up for debate. As one of NASCAR's highest drivers in the standings without much certainty, Cindric could be fighting for his seat in the No. 2 car. However, would Team Penske actually go in a different direction moving forward?
Motorsports Wire is predicting that Cindric will return to the No. 2 car for Team Penske in the NASCAR Cup Series. Despite a down year from the organization, the driver of the No. 2 car currently sits in a Chase spot and above Joey Logano in points. This has been a theme for most of the 2026 NASCAR season.
While the No. 2 car for Team Penske would be a major opening, Cindric shouldn't lose it based on a down year with Ford. However, the future might be a little murkier with Logano and Ryan Blaney having tremendous past success. For now, Cindric should be safe, but it doesn't mean he will be beyond 2027.
More: Predicting Hendrick Motorsports' driver lineup for 2027 Cup season
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Austin Cindric's 2027 prediction: Will he return to Team Penske?
Motorsports Wire is predicting that Cindric will return to the No. 2 car for Team Penske in the NASCAR Cup Series. Despite a down year from the organization, the driver of the No. 2 car currently sits in a Chase spot and above Joey Logano in points. This has been a theme for most of the 2026 NASCAR season.
While the No. 2 car for Team Penske would be a major opening, Cindric shouldn't lose it based on a down year with Ford. However, the future might be a little murkier with Logano and Ryan Blaney having tremendous past success. For now, Cindric should be safe, but it doesn't mean he will be beyond 2027.
More: Predicting Hendrick Motorsports' driver lineup for 2027 Cup season
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Austin Cindric's 2027 prediction: Will he return to Team Penske?
4 months ago
Joey Logano is a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, but he hasn't been on the same level in 2026. Logano sits 18th in the Cup Series point standings with a 10-point deficit to Ryan Preece on the Chase bubble. The Team Penske driver is fighting for a spot in the Chase, and time is ticking.
Logano has nine races to put himself into the top 16 if he wants to fight for a fourth championship. If not, the driver of the No. 22 car would be one of the most shocking competitors to miss the Chase, even in its previous formats. Luckily for Logano, he has some good tracks on the schedule moving forward.
Team Penske has been down in the speed department this season, as Ford waits for a new car in 2027; however, Logano shouldn't be the last of three drivers for the organization. It is time for Logano and the No. 22 team to take the speed to a new level with a Chase spot on the line.
More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Joey Logano fighting for Chase spot with 9 races left in 2026
Logano has nine races to put himself into the top 16 if he wants to fight for a fourth championship. If not, the driver of the No. 22 car would be one of the most shocking competitors to miss the Chase, even in its previous formats. Luckily for Logano, he has some good tracks on the schedule moving forward.
Team Penske has been down in the speed department this season, as Ford waits for a new car in 2027; however, Logano shouldn't be the last of three drivers for the organization. It is time for Logano and the No. 22 team to take the speed to a new level with a Chase spot on the line.
More: How to watch NASCAR live at Sonoma in June 2026, full schedule
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Joey Logano fighting for Chase spot with 9 races left in 2026
