Pole Position Drama at Chicagoland
Denny Hamlin claimed the pole position at Chicagoland Speedway with a blistering lap of 30.296 seconds, averaging 178.241 miles per hour. The performance marked his fourth pole of the season and his 52nd career pole, edging Kyle Larson by a mere 0.001 seconds.
Hamlin credited the ideal weather conditions and the relentless effort of his Joe Gibbs Racing crew for the record‑breaking time, noting that the cool, cloud‑filled atmosphere gave his car a perfect grip.
The tight battle between Hamlin and Larson set the stage for a competitive race, with Hamlin acknowledging Larson as the driver he considers the best on this track.
Behind the front row, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing teammates Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski secured third and fourth positions, while Hamlin’s teammates Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe lined up fifth through seventh.
Bubba Wallace, Chase Elliott and William Byron rounded out the top ten, while Michael McDowell’s No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet will start from the rear after multiple inspection failures.
Keselowski remains the only driver in the field with multiple Chicagoland victories, adding extra intrigue to Sunday’s event.
The race will also feature intriguing teammate match‑ups, including Larson versus Byron and Gibbs against Briscoe, as the NASCAR season continues its high‑octane narrative.