AVONDALE, Ariz. – After topping final NASCAR Cup Series practice Friday at Phoenix Raceway, Chase Elliott used a fast lap Saturday to earn the pole for the FanShield 500 on Sunday afternoon.
Elliott turned a 26.065-second lap at 138.116 mph to earn the ninth pole of his NASCAR Cup Series career in the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. It’s his first pole at Phoenix Raceway.
“Great to get a pole,” Elliott said. “It’s always a good thing when you can put down a fast lap. I just hope tomorrow goes good. That’s always the challenge. We’ll see and we’re looking forward to it.”
Kevin Harvick, a nine-time Cup Series winner at Phoenix Raceway, qualified second with a 26.110-second lap 137.878 mph to join Elliott on the front row for Sunday’s race at the one-mile oval.
Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin qualified third, followed by Kyle Larson and championship leader Ryan Blaney.
Aric Almirola, Kurt Busch, Alex Bowman, Matt DiBenedetto and Kyle Busch will start sixth through 10th, respectively.
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. qualified 12th, but will have to start Sunday’s race from the rear of the field following an engine change in his No. 18 Toyota. He’ll be joined at the tail of the field by rookie John Hunter Nemechek, who will start from the rear because his team changed the radiator in his No. 38 Ford Mustang. He originally qualified 26th.
FanShield 500 Starting Lineup
1. Chase Elliott
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Kyle Larson
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Aric Almirola
7. Kurt Busch
8. Alex Bowman
9. Matt DiBenedetto
10. Kyle Busch
11. Erik Jones
12. Martin Truex Jr.
13. Joey Logano
14. Brad Keselowski
15. Christopher Bell
16. Cole Custer
17. William Byron
18. Clint Bowyer
19. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
20. Ryan Preece
21. Jimmie Johnson
22. Michael McDowell
23. Chris Buescher
24. Ross Chastain
25. Ty Dillon
26. John Hunter Nemechek
27. Bubba Wallace
28. Corey LaJoie
29. Tyler Reddick
30. Austin Dillon
31. Daniel Suarez
32. Brennan Poole
33. J.J. Yeley
34. Quin Houff
35. Reed Sorenson
36. Garrett Smithley
37. Joey Gase
38. Timmy Hill