Denny Hamlin earns Pocono pole as William Byron wrecks in wild qualifying session

Denny Hamlin missed the race in Mexico Metropolis, nevertheless it did not appear to affect him because the NASCAR Cup Sequence rolled into Pocono. With a document seven wins on the 2.5-mile observe, it was apparent that the No. 11 Toyota could be quick once more, and in qualifying, nobody might match his tempo. He went to the highest of the charts in his fifth pole place at Pocono however his first of the 2025 season.

“Clearly, as a result of I used to be somewhat extra rested than the sector proper there, I used to be in a position to get somewhat extra pace,” joked Hamlin.

“I imply, I really like all of them,” added Hamlin when requested about Pocono being considered one of his favourite tracks. “Each week, we now have a fantastic shot to win and this staff simply is aware of what I want out of the automotive. And with all of the automobiles and tires and every part that has modified over time, you continue to make pace at this observe the identical approach. I used to be in a position to execute it there in qualifying and that is a great begin for us.”

Becoming a member of Hamlin on the entrance row shall be RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher, who ended the session 0.083s behind Hamlin’s quick lap. Buescher’s first profession Cup win got here at Pocono again in 2016. Carson Hocevar certified third, John-Hunter Nemechek fourth, and Cole Custer fifth in some actually spectacular runs for each the Legacy Motor Membership and Haas Manufacturing facility Crew.

Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, and Daniel Suarez stuffed out the rest of the highest ten.

Qualifying bother

Watch: William Byron hits inside wall onerous throughout qualifying at Pocono

4 drivers did not even set a qualifying time. Because of inspection points, Brennan Poole’s staff was not allowed to participate whereas Cody Ware crashed in apply and was unable to take action. Josh Berry’s Wooden Brothers No. 21 suffered a damaged rear diffuser within the apply, which the staff was busy repairing. 

After which there was Bubba Wallace, whose No. 23 Toyota wouldn’t begin when it was his time to go. 23XI Racing tried to push begin it however to no avail, and he was visibly annoyed contained in the automotive. A.J. Allmendinger and Todd Gilliland had been the 2 slowest drivers on observe, partly as a result of they deserted their laps after sketchy moments.

However the greatest second got here close to the top of qualifying. William Byron wasn’t going to problem for pole, however he was probably going to be inside the highest 10 when he misplaced management via the Tunnel Flip, spinning out and slamming the within wall. After posting the quickest time in apply, he’ll now be pressured to go to a backup automotive for the race.

Byron’s HMS teammate Chase Elliott was on observe on the identical time and the incident ruined his lap. Fortunately, NASCAR allowed him to placed on a contemporary set of tires and Elliott was allowed to return out, however that was solely adequate for 18th. Shockingly, he was the highest-qualifying Hendrick Motorsports driver. Kyle Larson certified twenty fourth and Alex Bowman was twenty fifth.

As for Mexico Metropolis winner Shane van Gisbergen, he ended up twenty third, matching his finest qualifying effort of the season on an oval.