Ross Chastain will lead the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag at Daytona International Speedway after putting together the fastest lap in qualifying.
Chastain earned the pole with a 48.808-second lap, narrowly beating Chris Buescher for the top starting spot. With Daytona’s unpredictable pack racing awaiting Saturday night, Chastain will have the advantage of controlling the field when the green flag drops.
Buescher Joins Chastain on Front Row
Chris Buescher came just short of the pole, qualifying second with a 48.859-second lap, only 0.051 seconds behind Chastain.
Buescher has built a reputation as one of the stronger superspeedway racers in the Cup Series, making his front-row starting position one to watch once the field gets organized into the draft.
Austin Hill turned in one of the biggest performances of qualifying, putting himself third with a 48.863. Hill, who has established himself as one of NASCAR’s best superspeedway racers, will have an opportunity to immediately mix it up with the Cup Series regulars at the front.
Ryan Preece qualified fourth at 48.881, while Riley Herbst completed the top five with a 48.976.
Van Gisbergen and Zilisch Impress
Two of NASCAR’s rising stars will also start near the front.
Shane van Gisbergen qualified sixth with a 49.019, while Connor Zilisch was just one-thousandth of a second behind him at 49.020 to secure seventh.
Although both drivers are better known for their road-course ability, starting inside the top seven gives them a chance to spend the opening portion of the race around some of the strongest cars in the field.
Austin Cindric will start eighth, followed by three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano in ninth. Kyle Larson rounded out the top 10 with a 49.082-second lap.
Chastain Has a Chance to Make a Statement
Starting on the pole at Daytona is valuable, but Chastain’s biggest challenge will come once the field reaches full speed.
Track position can disappear in a matter of seconds at Daytona, and drivers will need help from behind to control lanes and remain at the front. With Buescher, Hill, Preece and several proven superspeedway racers starting directly behind him, Chastain won’t have much room for error.
Still, the No. 1 team couldn’t have asked for a better way to begin the weekend.
Daytona Cup Series Qualifying — Top 10: Ross Chastain, Chris Buescher, Austin Hill, Ryan Preece, Riley Herbst, Shane van Gisbergen, Connor Zilisch, Austin Cindric, Joey Logano and Kyle Larson.